• ☝️ A team of UK archaeologists unveiled the reconstructed face of a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman whose skull – thought to be the best-preserved Neanderthal find this century – was recently discovered in Iraq.

BUSINESS & MARKETS

in partnership with NoNetz

• 💰 US markets closed up across the board (S&P: +0.9%; Dow: +0.9%; Nasdaq: +1.5%). | 💉 Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, reported sales of $9.35 billion in Q1 (up 22% from 2023); the drugmaker said it expects supply constraints to continue affecting Ozempic/Wegovy sales.
• 🚲 Peloton is cutting 15% of its overall workforce; CEO Barry McCarthy is also departing.
• 🛢️ The FTC approved Exxon Mobil’s $60 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources, but barred Pioneer's former CEO from Exxon's board due to allegations he tried to collude with OPEC to raise oil prices. | 🔍 Google’s landmark antitrust case, in which regulators allege its search engine is an illegal monopoly, saw closing arguments begin yesterday. (Background)

*From our partners: 😌 Athleisure made as sustainable as it is comfy… The 3D knitted Made In Brooklyn Collection from NoNetz features minimal seams and stitching for maximum comfort. Crafted with soft, stretchable yarn made from sawdust. Save 15% on eco-friendly athleisure with code DONUT15.

SPORTS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

• 🎥 Sony and Apollo Global Management reportedly submitted a $26 billion all-cash offer to buy Paramount.
• 🏇 The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby – aka “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” – takes place on Saturday evening.
• 🤝🎶 Universal Music Group and TikTok signed a new licensing agreement that will bring music by Drake, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, and others back to the social media platform after a two-month hiatus. (Background)

SCIENCE, SPACE & EMERGING TECH

in partnership with Paleovalley

• ☄️ The ongoing Eta Aquarids meteor shower is projected to reach peak activity on Saturday night into Sunday morning.
• 🏥🫄 US maternal mortality rates fell to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, marking the first decrease in at least three years; a total of 817 US women died of maternal causes, at a rate of 22.3 per 100,000 live births.
• 🌎🍿 Roughly 10% of the most popular movies of the past decade include a scene in which the characters address climate change, per a new academic report.

*From our partners: 🧠💪 Enhance brain function and exercise performance with delicious flavors… Essential Electrolytes from Paleovalley are available in orange, watermelon, and lemon-lime. Made with unprocessed ancient sea salt, organic coconut water, and more for optimal hydration. Click here to save 15% sitewide at Paleovalley.

MISCELLANEOUS

• 🎓 Student protests: More than 2,000 protesters in total have been arrested at universities across the country over the past two weeks. | Three Northwestern students filed a lawsuit accusing the school of enabling the harassment of Jewish students when a pro-Palestinian encampment was set up on campus. | The House approved legislation to establish a broader definition of antisemitism for the Department of Education to enforce anti-discrimination laws.
• 🇨🇳🌐 Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which is blacklisted from doing business in the US, is secretly funding cutting-edge research at American universities – including Harvard – through an independent Washington-based foundation, per Bloomberg.
• ⚖️ A group of 26 Republican AGs filed a lawsuit to block a recent Biden administration rule requiring background checks for firearm sales at gun shows. (Background)

CLICKBAIT

• 👥🪖 Faceless people, invisible hands: New Army video aims to lure recruits for psychological operations.