News & Updates
The latest news and updates from companies in the WLTH portfolio.
Why this popular South Indian destination is emerging as India's most unconventional real estate play
When Geeta Sharma bought a property in Goa, all she was thinking was a holiday home, but she soon realised that she had unknowingly invested in a property which could actually earn for her. Goa was more than just a place to go on vacation now. It is slowly but surely becoming a possible place to invest in real estate. By 2026, this change will be easier to see as real estate activity starts to line up more closely with tourism growth, rising prices, and changing patterns of property use. The result is a market that is getting more and more serious investors interested, even from Delhi-NCR.What has triggered this changeThis change is not just a story. It is backed by demand-side momentum. According to official data from the Goa Tourism Department, the state welcomed a record-breaking 1.08 crore (10.8 million) total tourists in 2025. This is a level that few other leisure markets in India can match. At the same time, reports from companies like Knight Frank and Anarock show that prime micro-markets, especially in North Goa, have seen prices go up steadily in the high single digits, with bigger jumps in certain villa and branded residential segments.For investors in Delhi NCR, the difference in yield is what makes it appealing. In NCR, residential real estate usually only gets rental yields of 2-3%, even in the best areas. Goa's economy works in a different way. Tourism demand is no longer confined to winters, which used to be the peak season for visits. A favourable ecosystemThis ecosystem has also grown up. Managed rental platforms like Airbnb and companies like StayVista have made it easier to manage properties, find guests, and keep them in good shape. The market is still a little bit broken up, but investors today don't rely as much on informal local networks and can more easily work in a structured, service-led setting. A villa in North Goa is becoming more and more like a hybrid asset, with some parts being residential and some parts being for hospitality. Shift in buyer intentThe change in buyer intent is just as important. The move to remote and hybrid work after the pandemic has stabilised in fields like consulting, media, and entrepreneurship. For some of Delhi's professionals, where they work is now more flexible than it used to be. Goa is a different base that has less people, is better for the environment, and improves your lifestyle without necessarily affecting your income. Because of this, properties are being used differently. People no longer just use their homes once in a while; they live in them, rent them out, and move them around throughout the year. This mixed-use model improves both asset use and overall returns, making the case for the investment even stronger.A change in real estate marketThe real estate market has also changed. It used to be limited to small developments and standalone villas, but now there is a slow move toward more organized offerings. Gated communities, branded homes, and design-led developments are becoming more common, especially in North Goa. This is because investors want more and developers are working in a more organized way.According to Sunil Sisodiya, Founder & Chairman, Neworld Developers, "The shift is not anecdotal. It rests on two solid measures. To begin with, Goa garnered a massive number of tourists in 2025, the strongest demand-side signal for any real estate market in India. Second, a number of brokerage and market trackers report that the prime micro-markets in Goa have experienced annual property price escalation annually. They are both changing the game for investor behaviour at a fundamental level."Growth in infrastructureInfrastructure has sped up this change even more. Manohar International Airport is now open for business, which has made it much easier to get there, especially for people from North India. As connectivity gets better, new micro-markets are opening up and people are feeling less like they can't travel. For investors, this means that occupancy rates are likely to go up and long-term liquidity will be better. This trend at the portfolio level is also a sign of a bigger strategic change. Delhi-NCR's real estate market is still stable, but it isn't making huge gains in all of its micro-markets anymore. Investors are more and more interested in investing in different places, and Goa has a unique demand base. In NCR, demand is mostly driven by end users, but in Goa, there are many different types of demand, such as tourists, long-term professionals, expatriates, and lifestyle buyers.That being said, the market isn't easy to understand. It takes a lot of work to make sure that the rules are clear, especially when it comes to land titles, zoning rules, and rental licenses. Also, if you don't think carefully about when to enter, the risk of overvaluation goes up when prices move quickly in some areas. The real estate market in Goa is changing, but it isn't quite the same everywhere yet. What makes this phase different is the type of capital that is coming into the market. More and more investors, especially those from Delhi, are coming to Goa not just to take advantage of good deals, but as part of a more planned allocation strategy that takes into account yield, appreciation, and lifestyle value.In a lot of ways, Goa is now the place where real estate and hospitality, consumption and investment all come together. The state is moving from the edge of India's investment landscape to a more central position as tourism demand grows and real estate activity picks up. Investor interest is following suit.
Is Tesla-SpaceX tie-up becoming more than just speculation? By Investing.com
Investing.com -- Tesla's first-quarter results, due Wednesday, are unlikely to offer much reassurance on the company's robotaxi ambitions, and that, analysts at Jefferies say, may be enough to keep merger speculation with SpaceX alive. "Q1 results will show further widening of the gap between vision and execution and, barring a convincing announcement on robotaxi roll-out, may fuel concern about funding and raise the logic of an eventual merger with SpaceX," analysts led by Philippe Houchois said in a note. Jefferies maintained a Hold rating on the stock and raised its price target to $350 from $300. The trigger for renewed merger talk comes amid a widening gap between Tesla's ambitions and its near-term execution. Jefferies forecasts Tesla will report Q1 revenue of $21.2 billion, up 10% year-over-year but well below the prior quarter, with an operating margin below 3% and cash burn of around $1.9 billion. Looking further ahead, the bank projects negative free cash flow of roughly $5.5 billion in 2026 as capital expenditure ramps sharply to $19-20 billion annually. The robotaxi business, which Tesla has said it aims to launch across 25-50% of potential U.S. markets by year-end, remains the central uncertainty. Analysts believe that those ambitions "look beyond reach," with permitting hurdles and questions around lidar-less Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology still unresolved. They do not model any revenue from running robotaxis until 2027. Humanoid robots face a similarly long runway, with Jefferies noting the field is already crowded and commercial scale even more distant. Despite the near-term pressures, the analysts acknowledged that Tesla's "vertically integrated business model and ability to deliver funding and industrial scale" remain unique strengths against competitors who are "also moving slowly and facing higher capital costs."
Vercel Security Breach: Hacker Demands $2M as Crypto Projects Scramble to Secure Keys - Blockonomi
According to Vercel, environment variables marked "sensitive" were protected by encryption with no signs of unauthorized access Vercel, a prominent web hosting and infrastructure provider, acknowledged a cybersecurity incident on Sunday following unauthorized intrusion into portions of its internal network. The firm indicated that a small subset of clients experienced impact while core platform services continued functioning normally. The attack originated through an employee account at Vercel. Hackers compromised this account by exploiting Context.ai, an external artificial intelligence application the staff member had integrated. The intruders then pivoted through the employee's Google Workspace access to penetrate Vercel's internal infrastructure. CEO Guillermo Rauch characterized the threat actors as "exceptionally sophisticated," noting their rapid movement and apparent intimate familiarity with Vercel's architecture. Rauch speculated that artificial intelligence tools may have accelerated the attackers' operational tempo. Rauch verified that all customer environment variables undergo encryption during storage. Nevertheless, variables not designated as "sensitive" were potentially accessible for enumeration by the intruders. He advised customers to audit their environment configurations and refresh any credentials that lacked the sensitive designation. A listing on the BreachForums cybercrime marketplace, attributed to the ShinyHunters collective, advertised purported Vercel information for $2 million. The advertised cache supposedly contains authentication keys, proprietary source code, database entries, and internal deployment credentials. These assertions remain unconfirmed through independent analysis. Individuals associated with ShinyHunters have publicly disputed any connection to the incident. Vercel serves as critical infrastructure throughout the Web3 ecosystem. Development teams constructing decentralized applications, cryptocurrency wallet interfaces, and decentralized exchange front-ends commonly utilize Vercel's platform and maintain sensitive credentials within environment variables. A compromise at this infrastructure tier could potentially expose API authentication tokens that bridge front-end interfaces with blockchain data services and backend systems. Solana-powered decentralized trading platform Orca verified that its user interface operates on Vercel infrastructure. The organization announced precautionary rotation of all deployment authentication credentials, emphasizing that its blockchain protocol layer and customer assets faced no exposure. Software developer Theo Browne, who commands substantial influence within the development community, reported that information from his sources identified Vercel's internal Linear project management and GitHub repository integrations as the primary compromised systems. Google's Mandiant cybersecurity division is collaborating with Vercel on the forensic investigation. Vercel representatives confirmed they've initiated contact with Context.ai to establish the complete extent of the security compromise. This Vercel incident arrives amid a particularly turbulent period for the digital asset industry. A devastating $292 million exploitation of Kelp DAO's rsETH token triggered cascading effects throughout decentralized finance lending ecosystems, notably impacting Aave. Previously in April, Solana-based derivatives platform Drift suffered approximately $285 million in losses through an attack subsequently attributed to North Korean state-sponsored hacking groups. Additional protocols experiencing security breaches this month encompass CoW Swap, Zerion, Rhea Finance, and Silo Finance. Vercel stated that its security investigation remains active and committed to publishing updates to its security advisory as additional findings emerge. No prominent cryptocurrency projects have publicly acknowledged receiving direct notification from Vercel regarding the breach at the time of this report.
Border chaos left 83 people stranded at French airport
Eighty three passengers were left stranded when their plane took off without them while they were stuck in border control queues at Marseille airport over the weekend. A Ryanair flight from Marseille to Marrakesh took off without 83 of the passengers who had booked tickets, as they were still stuck in queues for border control at the airport. The Marseille-Provence airport operator blamed a lack of border guards (police aux frontières) for the hours-long queues at the airport on Saturday evening. The incidents follows on from several other reports of passengers being stranded at European airports due to long queues - including 100 passengers stranded in Milan last week - following the full introduction of the EU's new EES biometric passport checks. Marseille airport operators did not specifically reference EES checks, saying only that the problem was short-staffing of border guards, but the Marseille-Marrakesh flight is across an EU external border, so EES checks would apply for any passengers who are not citizens of an EU country such as France. Ryanair said that it had initially delayed the 10.30pm take-off to allow passengers to board, but said that it was obliged to respect its "operational obligations", so decided to leave without 83 people. Local radio station Ici reported angry scenes in the airport, as passengers tried to force their way through, and on the plane among those passengers who had managed to board. Marseille airport says that it has launched an investigation into what it calls an "exceptionally rare" event. The full rollout of the EES passport checks came into effect on April 10th - although France has not yet implemented full checks at the UK border, due to concerns about long delays at busy crossing points such as the Port of Dover and London Saint Pancras station. Although passengers in French airports had reported longer than usual queues in recent weeks, France had so far been mostly spared the exceptionally long queues seen in neighbouring countries such as Spain and Italy.
Storm Winds Sweep Through Qassim, Causing Truck Overturns And Dust Chaos
Storm Winds Sweep Through Qassim, Causing Truck Overturns And Dust Chaos A fast-moving weather system swept across parts of the Qassim region in Saudi, bringing intense wind gusts that flipped heavy trucks and caused damage to storefronts along key roads, including the Qassim-Madinah highway near Riyadh Al Khabra. The event, which unfolded on April 19, 2026, caught many drivers and residents off guard due to how quickly the conditions escalated. The winds arrived quickly, leaving little time for drivers and residents to react. A downdraft is basically a fast-moving column of cold air that falls from a thunderstorm cloud. Inside strong storm systems, especially cumulonimbus clouds, rain and ice particles can cool the air rapidly. That dense air then drops suddenly toward the ground and spreads outward like a blast of wind. - Winds hit sideways at high speed - Roads are open with no wind barriers - Vehicles are partially loaded or turning In strong downdraft events, wind speeds can briefly reach levels strong enough to: - Push trailers off balance - Lift lighter cargo sections - Cause sudden steering loss This combination can trigger strong storm cells that produce: - Sudden wind bursts - Dust walls (locally similar to haboob conditions) - Low visibility events - Avoid stopping near open highways - Stay away from glass-front buildings - Do not park under weak structures or signage - Pull over safely if visibility drops - Follow updates from the National Center of Meteorology Events like this are a reminder of how quickly weather can shift in desert regions. While they don't happen every day, they can develop fast enough to surprise even experienced drivers.
Surat station chaos: What happened and why migrants are leaving in a rush
New Delhi: Panic and chaos broke out at Udhna railway station in Surat on Sunday as thousands of migrant workers broke queues and attempted to rush to board trains to leave city. The incident occurred as the passengers tried to board a special train to Bihar scheduled for 11.15am. Some of them broke queue and climbed over barricades, triggering chaos at the entry gate. Several people including women and children suffered from suffocation, dehydration amid overcrowding and rising temperatures. Unusually high crowd pressure Police had to use mild lathicharge to disperse those attempting to breach barricades. Western Railway chief public relations officer (PRO) Vineet Abhishek acknowledged the crowd pressure was "unusually high" due to marriage season and summer vacations. "We had announced trains in advance and implemented queue management with multiple holding areas. Around 23,000 passengers had gathered, and six trains were scheduled for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The disruption occurred when some unruly passengers tried to break the system, but the situation was brought under control swiftly," Abhishek said while talking to TOI. Several videos showing the overcrowded station and chaos went viral on social media. In on of the videos, a man can be heard saying, "Ab nhi aaunga. bata dena unhe (I won't return. Tell them)." West Asia war fallout? Apart from summer vacation and marriage season, other reasons the migrant workers, mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, point out are LPG shortages and slowing industrial activity in the city owing to the war in West Asia. Railway officials, while talking about the chaotic scenes, said several special services were added, additional staff deployed to manage the rush. Seven more ticket counters were set up to ease the ticket booking. Passengers described the situation inside the train and at railway station as chaotic and far from "normal". Some passengers said that they had to stand in lines for over 15 hours without food or water. Due to overcrowding many were forced to travel standing. In an Economic Times report, one of the workers from Bihar's Patna was quoted as saying that he was returning home due to "shortage of LPG" and reduced work at his industrial unit. Work at industrial units decline The migrants workers had earlier flagged the shortage of cooking gas, many were skipping meals or considered returning to home states till situation normalises. Authorities asked the passengers to go back and wait for another announcement by the railways while acknowledging that the demand had exceeded available train capacity. During the day situation improved as additional special trains were pressed into service. Railways asks passengers not to rely on rumours Meanwhile, Western Railway, in its official communication, reiterated that operations remained smooth and advised passengers not to rely on rumours. "Contrary to such claims, multiple trains have departed as scheduled from Udhna for northern states today, including Udhna - Jaynagar Special and Madhubani Special. Passengers and the general public are advised to rely only on official communications issued by Railways," the statement read. Passenger condition was normal on Monday with Western Railways sharing visuals from the station.
NASA picks SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch European Mars Rover
New Delhi: NASA has announced that it has selected the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to launch the Rosalind Franklin Rover of the European Space Agency, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, targeting opportunities no sooner than late 2028. The European Space Agency is responsible for providing the Rosalind Franklin rover for surface operations, the carrier module and the landing platform. NASA is supporting the mission through the Rosalind Franklin Support and Augmentation (ROSA) project, and is providing the launch vehicle, the propulsion system for the lander, radioisotope heater units (RHUs) for the rover, and the Mars Molecule Analyser science experiment. While there have been astrobiology-oriented missions before, such as Curiosity and Perseverance, the Rosalind Franklin rover will be the first to search Mars for signs of past and present life. The target landing site is the Oxia Planum, which has an abundance of evidence of the wet past of Mars, a high potential for biosignature preservation because of clays in the region, a diverse geology, and a terrain that is suitable for landing an interplanetary probe. NASA competitively awarded the firm-fixed-price launch service task to SpaceX under the service contract. What is there at Oxia Planum? Oxia Planum is rich in clays, and is surrounded by ancient valley systems, all indicating a water past. There are also signs of volcanic activity in the region, with material overlaid on top of the clay and other aqueous deposits. This would have preserved any subsurface imprints by life forms, with the deposits exposed to erosion for only a few hundred million years. This provides the Rosalind Franklin Rover with an excellent opportunity to look for remnants of microbial life that may have been naturally preserved. The six-wheeled rover will explore the region over the course of its mission. Oxia Planum was also a candidate landing site for NASA's Perseverance Rover.
Vercel breach linked to AI tool, credentials compromised
Vercel has confirmed a security breach involving unauthorized access to parts of its internal systems. The company stated that the incident affected a "limited" number of customer credentials. It reported that it detected the issue and began an investigation soon after identifying unusual activity. The company informed affected users directly and advised them to rotate their credentials without delay. In its official update, Vercel said, "We identified a security incident that involved unauthorized access to certain internal Vercel systems." The firm also noted that its response included monitoring and containment measures to prevent further access. Reports of the breach surfaced after a user known as ShinyHunters posted on a hacking forum offering alleged Vercel data for $2 million. The post claimed access to sensitive assets such as source code, database content, and internal employee accounts. Vercel has not confirmed the full scope of these claims. However, it described the attacker as "highly sophisticated based on their operational velocity and detailed understanding of Vercel's systems." The company has not provided details on whether all the data mentioned in the forum post was accessed. According to Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch, the breach began with a compromised employee account. He said the attacker gained access through a third-party artificial intelligence tool called Context.ai. This allowed the attacker to enter the employee's Google Workspace account. From there, the attacker accessed parts of Vercel's internal systems. Rauch stated, "the attacker was then able to compromise the Vercel employee's Google Workspace account." He added that the attacker used this access to move through the system quickly and gather information. Vercel explained that customer environments are stored with encryption. At the same time, some variables can be marked as non-sensitive, which may have been accessed during the breach. Rauch said, "the attacker got further access through their enumeration," referring to how system data was explored. The company has taken steps to secure its infrastructure and review its software supply chain. It confirmed that key projects such as Next.js and Turbopack remain safe. Rauch advised users to follow standard security steps, stating, "secret rotation, monitoring access to your Vercel environments and linked services" are necessary actions after such events.
Vercel Hack Linked to Context AI Breach: Limited Customer Data Exposed
Vercel, a prominent web infrastructure provider, has recently reported a significant security breach linked to Context.ai, a third-party artificial intelligence tool. This incident has raised concerns over the unauthorized access of internal systems. Details of the Vercel Hack The breach occurred when an attacker compromised an employee's account through Context.ai. This allowed for the takeover of the employee's Vercel Google Workspace account. Consequently, the attacker accessed various Vercel environments and related environment variables that were not classified as 'sensitive.' Data Security Measures According to Vercel, sensitive environment variables are encrypted to safeguard them from unauthorized access. The company emphasized that there is no current evidence indicating that these encrypted values were accessed during the breach. Investigation and Response Vercel characterized the threat actor as "sophisticated," citing their operational efficiency and an in-depth understanding of Vercel's infrastructure. In response to the breach, Vercel has engaged with Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm owned by Google, and other specialists to further investigate the incident. Customer Impact * A limited subset of customers had their credentials compromised. * Vercel has directly notified affected customers, urging them to change their credentials promptly. The company is actively investigating the extent of the data exfiltrated and will update customers should additional findings surface. Recommended Precautions Vercel has advised Google Workspace administrators and account holders to verify the presence of a specific OAuth application, identified as: 110671459871-30f1spbu0hptbs60cb4vsmv79i7bbvqj.apps.googleusercontent.com Moreover, best practices are being recommended to enhance security following the breach. Claims of Responsibility While Vercel has not disclosed specific details regarding the systems impacted or the total number of customers affected, a hacker group known as ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for the breach. They have purportedly offered the stolen data for sale at an asking price of $2 million. Continued Improvements Vercel's CEO, Guillermo Rauch, stated that extensive protective measures and monitoring are being deployed to enhance security. The company has reviewed its supply chain, ensuring that its technologies, including Next.js and Turbopack, remain secure. New features have also been rolled out, including a dashboard overview for better management of environment variables.
Cerebras files for IPO with $510M revenue and a $23B valuation -- TFN
In 2018, Elon Musk tried to buy Cerebras Systems, but the founders, Andrew Feldman, Gary Lauterbach, Michael James, Sean Lie, and Jean-Philippe Fricker, said no. Back then, some saw this as a bold move, while others thought it was risky. The company had already spent three years and a lot of money on a chip design that most in the industry thought couldn't be built. Last week, Cerebras filed to go public on Nasdaq under the ticker CBRS. Now, according to CNBC, the founders' decision seems much more justified. According to its IPO filing, Cerebras reported $510 million in revenue for 2025, a 76% increase from the previous year. The company also went from a $481 million net loss to $87.9 million in net income. Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Barclays, and UBS are leading the underwriting, while Mizuho and TD Cowen are bookrunners. The share price and offering size have not yet been announced. The company has also shared that it has a $24.6 billion backlog in remaining performance obligations as of December 31. Most AI computing today uses clusters of thousands of small GPU chips, each about the size of a fingernail, connected in large, power-hungry data centres. Now that AI inference is becoming more important than training, these limitations are getting harder and more costly to overlook. Cerebras chose a completely different approach. Its Wafer-Scale Engine is the first and only commercial processor to use the entire wafer. It measures 46,225 square millimetres, contains 4 trillion transistors, and 900,000 cores. Putting everything on a single surface eliminates the need for complex interconnections between chips. The result is a memory bandwidth 7,000 times that of a standard GPU and inference speeds that have drawn customers ranging from Argonne National Laboratory to GlaxoSmithKline. The current CS-3 system integrates the WSE with power, cooling, and networking into a single deployable unit. NVIDIA leads the competition, with its GPUs powering most of the world's AI infrastructure and a market value of over $4.5 trillion in early 2026. AMD and Broadcom are strong competitors, and more startups focused on inference are entering the field. Cerebras' situation is unusual because AMD, a direct competitor, joined its most recent funding round. When a rival invests in your Series H, it can mean they want to protect themselves from disruption, believe in the technology, or both. That Series H, closed in February 2026 and led by Tiger Global, valued Cerebras at $23 billion, nearly triple the $8.1 billion valuation it carried just five months earlier after its Series G. Benchmark Capital, which has backed the company since its $27 million Series A in 2016, raised a dedicated $225 million SPV to increase its position. Total private capital raised across all rounds now stands at approximately $2.8 billion. This IPO comes as many AI companies are testing whether the public market is interested in the infrastructure behind the AI boom, with Cerebras being the first to file. The response to its debut will likely influence how future AI hardware IPOs are received.
Anthropic CEO: AI will replace most entry-level jobs in 5 years
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) would take over a large number of entry-level white-collar jobs within the next one to five years, raising concerns about a possible employment crisis in sectors such as finance, consulting and technology. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Amodei said AI systems are advancing at a pace that many people, businesses and policymakers may be underestimating. According to him, tasks traditionally assigned to junior employees, including summarising documents, brainstorming ideas and preparing financial reports, are increasingly within the capabilities of modern AI systems. The warning from one of the leading AI companies in the world confirms that the concerns earlier expressed by bodies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) over AI-induced job losses are not unfounded. What the Anthropic CEO is saying Amodei said the technology has improved dramatically in just two years. He explained that while AI previously operated at the level of a smart high school student, it now performs closer to the level of a smart college student and is continuing to improve. The Anthropic chief noted that while AI could bring major benefits such as breakthroughs in healthcare, cheaper energy and scientific discovery, the same capabilities may disrupt the labour market. * "I think AI has exactly the kind of skills that are needed to cure important diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, to provide cheaper energy, and many positive things. * "But exactly that same kind of skills, things like summarizing a document, brainstorming, putting together a financial report, make me worry a lot that entry-level jobs in areas like finance, consulting, tech, many, many other areas like that, are going to be first augmented, but before long, replaced by AI systems. * "It's hard to predict the future, but we may indeed have a serious employment crisis on our hands as the pipeline for these early-stage white-collar work starts to contract and dry up," he said. When asked how soon this could happen, Amodei said: * "Given how fast AI is making progress, I would not be surprised if, somewhere between one and five years, we started to see big effects here. I've heard a number of people talk about this in private." More insights The Anthropic CEO noted that despite the threat to jobs, AI cannot be stopped. According to him, AI CEOs are "talking about this in private", but they have to keep building. * "I do think that this is something we can prevent. I don't think we can stop the AI bus. You know, there are six or seven companies just in the U.S. working in this area. I just ran one of them. * "Even if our company stopped doing what it was doing today, all the other companies would continue. Even if all six companies stopped, then China would beat us," he said. Rather than attempting to stop AI, he urged governments to focus on managing the transition and reducing the social fallout. Among the measures he suggested were helping workers adapt through AI education and reskilling, as well as considering economic policies to redistribute gains from automation. Amodei said one possible option could include taxing AI companies, though he acknowledged the idea may be controversial. What you should know Last year, a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with Poland's National Research Institute (NASK), revealed that revealed that 25% of jobs globally are potentially exposed to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), with clerical and highly digital roles most affected. The report noted that while one in four jobs (25%) worldwide is potentially exposed to GenAI, that figure climbs to 34% in high-income countries, reflecting greater digital integration in those economies. Earlier, the IMF had declared that nearly 40% of jobs globally would be influenced by artificial intelligence, with advanced economies expected to experience a higher impact compared to emerging markets and low-income nations.
Vercel Confirms Security Breach via Compromised Third-Party AI Tool
Cloud platform Vercel publicly disclosed a security incident on Sunday: unknown attackers gained unauthorized access to the company's internal systems. The attack was carried out via a compromised third-party AI tool and potentially affects a limited number of customers. Vercel was valued at $9.3 billion in its most recent funding round in September 2025, with an investment of $300 million, and is among the companies that have benefited significantly from the AI boom of recent years. Vercel is a US-based cloud provider headquartered in San Francisco, founded in 2015 by Guillermo Rauch under the name ZEIT. The company operates a Platform-as-a-Service solution specializing in the deployment and hosting of web applications. Vercel is also the developer and maintainer of Next.js, one of the most widely used open-source web frameworks in the React ecosystem, recording around six million weekly downloads. Vercel is not only a provider of an AI cloud giving its customers consolidated access to AI models, but also simultaneously the provider of the vibe coding tool v0. Its customers include companies such as IBM, Uber, Nike, Walmart, McDonald's, and GitHub. In recent years, the platform has established itself as something of a standard for deploying modern frontend applications. According to Vercel's security bulletin, the incident stems from a compromise of Context.ai, a third-party AI tool used by a Vercel employee. Through this vulnerability, the attackers were able to take over the affected employee's Google Workspace account and from there gain access to parts of Vercel's infrastructure. Specifically, the attackers gained access to so-called environment variables that had not been marked as "sensitive." Variables designated as "sensitive" are stored encrypted by Vercel and, based on current knowledge, could not be viewed. However, the variables not classified as sensitive could be read -- and in some cases apparently still contained security-relevant information such as API keys or database credentials. Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch stated on the platform X that the attackers were able to gain further access through the enumeration of these non-sensitive variables. The company classifies the attackers as highly sophisticated and points to their speed and detailed knowledge of Vercel's systems. Rauch expressed the suspicion that the attackers may have been able to act more quickly with the assistance of AI. Vercel states that it has so far identified only a limited number of customers whose credentials were compromised. These customers were contacted directly and asked to rotate their credentials immediately. Those who were not contacted have, according to Vercel, no current reason to assume that their own data is affected. However, the scope extends beyond Vercel: according to the company, the OAuth app of Context.ai was part of a broader attack that could potentially have affected hundreds of users across various organizations. Vercel has published a specific Indicator of Compromise (IoC) and recommends that Google Workspace administrators check their environments for the relevant OAuth app. The incident is receiving particular attention in the crypto industry: numerous decentralized applications and Web3 projects use Vercel as frontend infrastructure, meaning the potential exposure of API keys and credentials poses immediate risks in that space. Following an analysis of its own supply chain, Vercel confirmed that the open-source projects Next.js and Turbopack are not affected. On April 19, a post appeared on the hacking forum BreachForums under the name "ShinyHunters," offering access to Vercel data and source code for sale for two million US dollars. ShinyHunters is a hacker group active since 2019 that has previously been linked to attacks on Wattpad, Tokopedia, and AT&T Wireless, among others. Whether the claims in this case are substantiated has not yet been independently verified. Vercel operates in a market it shares primarily with Netlify and Cloudflare Pages. All three platforms offer cloud-based deployment for web applications but differ in their areas of focus. Vercel is considered the leader in the Next.js application space and offers the closest integration with the React ecosystem. Netlify positions itself as a framework-agnostic alternative with built-in additional features such as form handling and identity management. Cloudflare Pages, in turn, stands out with a global edge network of over 300 locations, unlimited bandwidth on the free tier, and particularly low latencies -- an advantage the company owes to its existing CDN infrastructure. Vercel is working with the cybersecurity firm Mandiant, other cybersecurity companies, and law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident. The platform's services remain operational. The company has already made improvements to the dashboard, including an overview page for environment variables and a simplified management interface for sensitive variables.
Why Anthropic's New Claude Design is Catching the Attention of Figma Users
Anthropic's latest offering, Claude Design, introduces a fresh approach to creative workflows by combining AI-driven functionality with a conversational interface. Powered by the Opus 4.7 model, this platform is currently in research preview and aims to simplify tasks like prototyping, slide creation and interactive design. One standout feature is its chat-based interface, which allows users to refine designs iteratively without requiring extensive expertise. Universe of AI explores how this platform positions itself as a potential rival to established design solutions like Figma, emphasizing its ability to integrate with existing workflows and support high-fidelity outputs. In this breakdown, you'll gain insight into how Claude Design supports dynamic motion design and interactive prototypes, allowing users to create engaging visuals with ease. Explore how its version management system streamlines collaboration by tracking revisions and fostering efficient teamwork. Additionally, learn about its flexible export options, which accommodate formats like PDFs, standalone HTML and Canva-compatible files. Whether you're a seasoned designer or new to the field, this guide offers a detailed look at how Claude Design bridges accessibility and professional-grade results. Claude Design is built to streamline the design process for both individual creators and collaborative teams. Its core functionality revolves around a chat-driven interface that allows users to create, refine and iterate on designs with ease. Some of the platform's most notable features include: These features make Claude Design a versatile tool capable of addressing diverse design needs, from simple templates to complex prototypes. Its ability to integrate with existing workflows ensures that users can adopt the platform without significant disruptions. The platform is structured around two primary components: the chat interface and the design canvas. Together, these elements provide a comprehensive environment for creating and refining designs. One of the standout features of Claude Design is its version management system. This functionality enables users to track revisions, experiment with different iterations and maintain a clear record of design evolution. Whether working individually or as part of a team, this feature ensures that designs can be refined efficiently and collaboratively. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on Claude. Claude Design uses the advanced capabilities of Opus 4.7 to deliver a range of innovative tools that cater to both novice and experienced designers. These tools are designed to enhance creativity and reduce the complexity of design workflows. These capabilities highlight the platform's commitment to providing widespread access to design tools. By combining advanced AI with user-friendly features, Claude Design enables users across skill levels to produce high-quality outputs with minimal effort. Claude Design enters the market as a strong contender in the realm of design platforms, directly challenging established players like Figma and Google Stitch. Its unique combination of a conversational interface and AI-driven capabilities simplifies complex workflows, making it an attractive option for both professional designers and individuals with limited design experience. The platform's ability to integrate seamlessly with external tools, such as Canva and Claude Code, further enhances its flexibility and collaborative potential. Additionally, the advanced vision capabilities of Opus 4.7 enable Claude Design to handle intricate design tasks with precision, setting it apart as a forward-thinking solution in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-powered creative tools. As the design industry continues to embrace AI-driven innovation, Claude Design's focus on accessibility, iterative workflows and high-quality outputs positions it as a valuable addition to any creative toolkit. Its ability to cater to a wide range of users ensures that it remains relevant in a competitive market, offering a compelling alternative to traditional design platforms. Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
US agency reportedly uses Anthropic Mythos AI despite risk designation The Mainstream
Amid growing scrutiny around AI usage in government systems, a report has indicated that a US security agency is using an advanced AI model despite formal risk concerns. According to the report, the United States National Security Agency (NSA) is currently using Anthropic's Mythos Preview AI tool. This comes even after the Pentagon reportedly assigned the company a supply-chain risk designation. The report further suggests that the Mythos Preview model is being used more widely within the department, citing sources familiar with the matter. However, the claims have not been independently verified. Anthropic, the NSA, and the Department of Defense have not responded to requests for comment outside regular business hours. The NSA operates under the Department of Defense. The development highlights ongoing tensions between rapid AI adoption and security oversight within government systems, especially as advanced AI tools continue to be integrated into sensitive operations. Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter About us: The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.
Polymarket in talks to raise $400 mln at $15 bln valuation- The Information By Investing.com
Investing.com-- Polymarket is in talks with investors to raise $400 million in funding, valuing the prediction market operator at $15 billion including new money, The Information reported on Sunday, citing two people familiar with the talks. The funding would add to the $600 million invested by the Intercontinental Exchange Inc (NYSE:ICE) in late-March, with the New York Stock Exchange parent having earlier pledged to invest up to $2 billion in Polymarket. Get more breaking news on the prediction market industry by subscribing to InvestingPro The prediction market operator is looking to add more strategic investors beyond Intercontinental Exchange to the funding round, which could total $1 billion, the Information report said. The wave of new funding comes amid the growing popularity of online prediction markets such as Polymarket and rival Kalshi. A report in March put Kalshi's valuation at $22 billion, roughly twice a late-2025 valuation of $11 billion. The two allow users worldwide to wager on a host of outcomes, across sports, entertainment, politics, and more recently, even the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Prediction markets have become wildly popular among U.S. consumers, with Polymarket seeing daily volumes of about $478 million as of March 2026. But this increasing popularity has also attracted legal scrutiny in the U.S., with several states accusing online prediction markets of engaging in illegal gambling operations. Concerns over prediction markets being pathways for insider trading have also emerged in recent months.
Polymarket targets $15 Billion valuation in new $400M capital raise
Polymarket is reportedly negotiating a fresh capital injection of $400 million that would propel the prediction market platform's valuation to a staggering $15 billion. The Information reports that the funding round could eventually climb to $1 billion as the company seeks to bring on strategic partners beyond Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which previously committed $600 million to the firm in March. This surge in private valuation mirrors a massive uptick in user activity, with monthly trading volumes across the industry now consistently exceeding $10 billion. While the 2024 US election acted as an initial catalyst, the platform has successfully diversified into markets ranging from corporate financial results and cultural milestones to professional sports. Recent filings show that Nasdaq MRX plans to offer binary-style contracts on the Nasdaq-100 index to capture the growing retail trend. Similar moves are being made by Cboe Global Markets and CME Group, with the latter partnering with FanDuel to enable wagering on outcomes outside of traditional finance. Wall Street heavyweights Charles Schwab and Citadel Securities also confirmed last week that they are weighing a move into the prediction market sector. Competition is heating up as rival platform Kalshi was recently valued at approximately $22 billion in its latest funding round. Surging interest from major financial players comes as the industry faces increased scrutiny over allegations of market manipulation and insider trading. Legal battles are currently unfolding that could dictate how these platforms are regulated in the future. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is locked in a court dispute with Kalshi after a lower court temporarily blocked the platform from operating in the state. Regulators maintain that these contracts facilitate unlicensed gambling, a stance that threatens the current business model of many providers.
Polymarket in talks to raise $400 mln at $15 bln valuation- The Information By Investing.com
Investing.com-- Polymarket is in talks with investors to raise $400 million in funding, valuing the prediction market operator at $15 billion including new money, The Information reported on Sunday, citing two people familiar with the talks. The funding would add to the $600 million invested by the Intercontinental Exchange Inc (NYSE:ICE) in late-March, with the New York Stock Exchange parent having earlier pledged to invest up to $2 billion in Polymarket. Get more breaking news on the prediction market industry by subscribing to InvestingPro The prediction market operator is looking to add more strategic investors beyond Intercontinental Exchange to the funding round, which could total $1 billion, the Information report said. The wave of new funding comes amid the growing popularity of online prediction markets such as Polymarket and rival Kalshi. A report in March put Kalshi's valuation at $22 billion, roughly twice a late-2025 valuation of $11 billion. The two allow users worldwide to wager on a host of outcomes, across sports, entertainment, politics, and more recently, even the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Prediction markets have become wildly popular among U.S. consumers, with Polymarket seeing daily volumes of about $478 million as of March 2026. But this increasing popularity has also attracted legal scrutiny in the U.S., with several states accusing online prediction markets of engaging in illegal gambling operations. Concerns over prediction markets being pathways for insider trading have also emerged in recent months.
Strait of Hormuz Chaos Deepens as Iran Recloses Vital Oil Route After Brief Reopening Amid US Tensions
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran has reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, shutting the critical waterway to most commercial shipping less than 24 hours after declaring it fully open, escalating a high-stakes maritime standoff with the United States that threatens global oil supplies and has already driven volatile swings in energy prices. The abrupt reversal on April 18 came as Tehran accused Washington of violating a fragile ceasefire understanding by maintaining its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats reportedly fired warning shots at or damaged at least two tankers attempting to transit the narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, according to advisories from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and shipping industry sources. No injuries were immediately confirmed, but the incidents sent shockwaves through global markets and shipping firms. Iran's military command declared the strait under "strict control" and warned that any vessel approaching without coordination would be considered hostile. "The security of the Strait of Hormuz is not free," Iran's first vice president stated, emphasizing Tehran's insistence on control over the chokepoint it has long viewed as a strategic asset. The move reversed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's announcement just a day earlier that the waterway was "completely open" to all commercial vessels during a 10-day Lebanon ceasefire period. President Donald Trump had welcomed the initial reopening, posting that the Strait of Hormuz was "COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS." He stressed, however, that the U.S. naval blockade targeting Iran-linked shipping would remain in force until a broader deal is reached. Hours later, U.S. forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to evade the blockade near the strait, prompting Iranian vows of retaliation. The latest flare-up underscores the fragility of de-escalation efforts in a conflict that has already disrupted roughly one-fifth of global oil trade. The Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary export route for oil from major producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iran itself. Daily flows typically exceed 20 million barrels of crude and petroleum products, making any prolonged closure a potential trigger for energy crises worldwide. Shipping data showed traffic through the strait dropping dramatically during earlier phases of the crisis, with some days recording fewer than 10 transits compared to a normal average of around 140. Even after the brief April 17 announcement of reopening, many tanker operators hesitated, seeking clarifications on mine risks, coordination requirements and insurance implications. Several vessels reportedly turned back after Iranian gunboat activity. The U.S. has conducted operations to enforce its blockade, including visit-and-search procedures aimed at vessels bound to or from Iranian ports. Reports indicate Washington is also considering broader seizures of Iran-linked oil tankers operating worldwide. Trump has issued strong warnings, including threats of further military action if Iran continues to disrupt navigation, while pushing for peace talks mediated in Pakistan. Oil prices reacted sharply to the mixed signals. Brent crude, the global benchmark, saw initial drops following the reopening news but rebounded amid the reclosure and gunfire reports. Analysts noted that sustained disruption could push prices higher, exacerbating inflationary pressures already felt from earlier supply fears. In the United States, some oil executives projected delays of two to three weeks before any relief reaches gasoline pumps, while Europe faces risks to jet fuel supplies. The crisis has ripple effects far beyond the Middle East. Australia, heavily reliant on imported fuel, has seen petrol prices ease modestly thanks to government excise cuts and stabilizing stocks, but officials remain cautious. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated the country is "prepared to provide assistance" in international efforts to secure the strait, while warning that full price relief at the bowser could take weeks even if shipping normalizes. In Asia, major importers like China, India and Japan have scrambled to secure alternative supplies, with some rerouting via pipelines or drawing down strategic reserves. India reported concerns after one of its vessels faced threats in the region. European nations, already managing energy transitions, monitor developments closely amid fears of renewed supply crunches. The strategic importance of the 21-mile-wide strait has long made it a flashpoint. Iran has threatened closure in past tensions but rarely followed through fully, relying instead on asymmetric tactics such as speedboat swarms, mines and anti-ship missiles. This time, the combination of declared closures, gunfire incidents and demands for coordination has effectively chilled commercial traffic. Experts emphasize that Iran does not fully "control" the strait in a legal sense under international law, which guarantees freedom of navigation. However, its geographic position on the northern shore and military capabilities allow significant disruption. The U.S. Navy maintains a strong presence in the region, conducting freedom-of-navigation operations, but direct confrontation risks broader escalation. Ceasefire talks remain ongoing, with the latest round expected in Pakistan. Trump has described upcoming negotiations as Iran's "last chance" to reach a comprehensive deal addressing nuclear concerns, regional proxies and maritime security. Iranian officials have signaled reluctance to proceed without guarantees on the blockade's lifting. Maritime security firms and insurers have issued heightened alerts. The International Maritime Organization and various flag states urge caution, with some recommending vessels avoid the area until clearer protocols emerge. GPS jamming and communication interference have complicated navigation in previous weeks. Economists warn that prolonged uncertainty could stall global growth. Higher energy costs feed into transportation, manufacturing and consumer prices. Developing nations dependent on affordable fuel imports face particular strain, while stock markets in energy-sensitive sectors have shown volatility. For Gulf Arab states, the situation is double-edged. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have ramped up pipeline exports bypassing the strait where possible, but full restoration of Hormuz flows is essential for their economies. They quietly support efforts to keep the waterway open while avoiding direct entanglement in U.S.-Iran brinkmanship. Environmental risks add another layer. Any naval clash or mining incident could lead to oil spills devastating the fragile marine ecosystem of the Gulf, affecting fisheries, desalination plants and coastal communities. As of April 20, shipping firms continue seeking real-time guidance before committing vessels. Satellite and AIS tracking data reflect subdued activity, with many tankers anchoring outside the area or diverting to longer, costlier routes around Africa or through alternative pipelines. The broader context involves a wider regional conflict that has included U.S. and Israeli actions against Iranian targets, Iranian responses via proxies and direct strikes. A temporary two-week ceasefire announced earlier in April offered hope, but mutual accusations of violations have undermined trust. U.S. officials maintain the blockade is a targeted measure to pressure Iran economically without broader war aims. Iran views it as an act of aggression and piracy, justifying its countermeasures. Looking ahead, analysts see several scenarios: a negotiated breakthrough allowing safe, unrestricted transit; continued tit-for-tat restrictions leading to sporadic shipping; or, in the worst case, renewed outright closure triggering military intervention to clear the strait. For now, the Hormuz crisis serves as a stark reminder of the world's dependence on vulnerable maritime chokepoints. Global leaders, energy traders and everyday consumers watch developments closely, knowing that stability in this narrow stretch of water can sway economies thousands of miles away. Peace talks in the coming days will prove pivotal. Until a durable agreement emerges, the Strait of Hormuz remains a powder keg where miscalculation could ignite far-reaching consequences for energy security, inflation and international relations.
Vercel Confirms Data Breach Linked to AI Tool, Hackers Demand $2 Million Ransom - The Logical Indian
Vercel confirms AI-linked breach after hackers access internal systems and claim $2 million data sale. Cloud development platform Vercel has confirmed an internal data breach after attackers gained access through a compromised employee account linked to an AI tool. CEO Guillermo Rauch said the incident began with a breached Google Workspace account connected to a third party AI platform, enabling deeper access into company systems. Hackers have since claimed to sell stolen data for $2 million, though the full extent remains under investigation. Vercel maintains that only a limited number of customers were affected and has initiated security upgrades, while experts flag broader risks tied to AI driven integrations. The breach traces back to a compromised Google Workspace account belonging to a Vercel employee, which attackers reportedly accessed via a vulnerability in an AI tool called Context.ai. According to Rauch, the attackers used this foothold to escalate access across internal systems, leveraging certain "non-sensitive" environment variables to move deeper into the infrastructure. While core customer data stored in encrypted formats remained protected, the incident highlights how even peripheral system permissions can be exploited when layered with sophisticated intrusion techniques. This incident also reflects a growing trend where AI tools, often embedded into workflows for efficiency, become unintended entry points for cyberattacks. Rauch noted that the attackers appeared "highly sophisticated" and may have used AI to accelerate the breach, moving with speed and precision across systems. In response, Vercel has issued advisories urging Google Workspace administrators to check for compromised OAuth applications linked to the AI tool and review system activity for anomalies. The disclosure follows claims on online hacking forums, where a group using the name "ShinyHunters" alleged it was selling access to Vercel's internal data. Reports suggest the data could include access keys, source code, database information, and tokens linked to platforms like GitHub and NPM. As proof, the attackers reportedly shared a sample dataset containing around 580 employee records, including names, email addresses, and activity timestamps, along with screenshots of internal dashboards. The group has also claimed it is negotiating directly with Vercel over a $2 million ransom demand, though these claims remain unverified and some known actors associated with the name have denied involvement. Meanwhile, Vercel has stated that it is directly informing affected customers and focusing on containment, investigation, and strengthening its security posture. The company has also reviewed its broader ecosystem, including open source projects, to ensure no further compromise. This breach is a timely reminder that as organisations rapidly integrate AI into their operations, security frameworks must evolve just as quickly. Innovation cannot outpace accountability, especially when user data and digital infrastructure are at stake. While Vercel's transparency and response are important, the incident underscores the need for stronger safeguards around third party tools and access controls.
Polymarket in talks to raise $400 mln at $15 bln valuation- The Information By Investing.com
Investing.com-- Polymarket is in talks with investors to raise $400 million in funding, valuing the prediction market operator at $15 billion including new money, The Information reported on Sunday, citing two people familiar with the talks. The funding would add to the $600 million invested by the Intercontinental Exchange Inc (NYSE:ICE) in late-March, with the New York Stock Exchange parent having earlier pledged to invest up to $2 billion in Polymarket. Get more breaking news on the prediction market industry by subscribing to InvestingPro The prediction market operator is looking to add more strategic investors beyond Intercontinental Exchange to the funding round, which could total $1 billion, the Information report said. The wave of new funding comes amid the growing popularity of online prediction markets such as Polymarket and rival Kalshi. A report in March put Kalshi's valuation at $22 billion, roughly twice a late-2025 valuation of $11 billion. The two allow users worldwide to wager on a host of outcomes, across sports, entertainment, politics, and more recently, even the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Prediction markets have become wildly popular among U.S. consumers, with Polymarket seeing daily volumes of about $478 million as of March 2026. But this increasing popularity has also attracted legal scrutiny in the U.S., with several states accusing online prediction markets of engaging in illegal gambling operations. Concerns over prediction markets being pathways for insider trading have also emerged in recent months.