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Baidu Advances Agent Portfolio to Embrace the Agent Era, Champions Daily Active Agents as Key Metric

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Baidu Advances Agent Portfolio to Embrace the Agent Era, Champions Daily Active Agents as Key Metric
  • Baidu Co-founder and CEO Robin Li proposed Daily Active Agents (DAA) as the defining metric as the industry enters the agent era.
  • The company also unveiled a series of updates to its agent portfolio, including the general-purpose agent DuMate, the app and enterprise edition of the coding agent Miaoda, the upgraded digital human platform Baidu Yijing, and the upgraded self-evolving agent Famou Agent 2.0.
  • The new full-stack AI Cloud is purpose-built for large-scale agent applications, set to empower organizations to harness AI at scale.

BEIJING, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888), a leading AI company with a strong internet foundation, today introduced a new generation of AI agent products at Baidu Create 2026, its annual developer conference. The lineup includes the general-purpose agent DuMate, the app and enterprise edition of the coding agent Miaoda, the upgraded digital human platform Baidu Yijing, and the upgraded self-evolving agent Famou Agent 2.0.

At Create 2026, Baidu Co-founder and CEO Robin Li made the case that the right metric for measuring success in the AI industry is Daily Active Agents (DAA) — a new index he proposed as the agent era’s equivalent of the mobile internet’s Daily Active Users (DAU).

Li contended that tokens represent cost, not value, measuring input rather than output. “To measure the health of a platform or ecosystem, we should pay closer attention to DAA — the number of agents actively working and delivering results,” he said. Li also predicted that global DAA could eventually surpass 10 billion.

Li put forward what he called an “AI evolution theory,” describing a three-layered transformation now underway: agents evolving from passive responders to autonomous executors that continuously learn from their environment; individuals evolving from ordinary users into super individuals who learn to coexist with AI; and enterprises evolving from human-to-human collaboration into mixed human-agent formations that operate as unified, super-organizations.

Robin Li, Co-founder and CEO of Baidu, highlights DAA at Baidu Create 2026
Robin Li, Co-founder and CEO of Baidu, highlights DAA at Baidu Create 2026

DuMate: General-Purpose Agent That Redefines What AI Can Do

At Create 2026, Baidu launched the mobile edition of its general-purpose agent DuMate. With full real-time synchronization between mobile and PC, users can now initiate tasks anytime, anywhere, with 24/7 availability. Since its MVP release in March, DuMate has iterated rapidly and is now capable of reading screens, operating software, processing files, and connecting business systems end-to-end. DuMate has achieved state-of-the-art performance across multiple international agent benchmarks. As a general-purpose agent, DuMate is also a unified gateway, according to Li. “It seamlessly integrates Baidu Search AI API, Miaoda coding agent, and Famou Agent, allowing users to collaboratively perform a range of tasks including search, coding, deep research, data analysis, and application creation,” Li said.

Miaoda & MeDo: Coding Agent That Makes Software “Disposable”

Miaoda marked another highlight of the event, with the launch of its app and enterprise edition. Miaoda is a coding agent that empowers anyone to bring their ideas to life without writing a single line of code. The new Miaoda app brings professional-grade vibe coding to mobile, with 90% of its own code generated by Miaoda itself. “Coding agents like Miaoda enable people with no coding knowledge to generate applications directly; the barrier is disappearing,” Li said. “At the same time, development costs are being compressed to near zero. The software industry is being redefined.” Li argued that “disposable software” — apps built for a single purpose and a single moment — is becoming reasonable, and that “this market could grow ten times over.” Global developers can already access MeDo, Miaoda’s international version, at medo.dev.

Baidu Yijing: Digital Human Is Agent You Can See and Trust

Baidu Yijing, rebranded from the Huiboxing platform, is a full-scenario digital human platform spanning live streaming, video production, and real-time interactive experiences, capable of generating highly interactive content ranging from minutes to several hours in length. “A digital human is simply an agent you can see,” Li said. “Equipped with voice, facial expressions, and gestures, a digital human is more expressive and more trustworthy.” Baidu Yijing is also taking its digital human capabilities global by launching an international edition that enables merchants and creators to easily generate digital human content, from e-commerce livestreams to digital human videos and beyond. Supporting the platform are three agent capabilities — script writing, video production, and intelligent editing — along with deep localization from the ground up. The platform supports 12 languages with native-level lip-sync accuracy and localized AI-powered content creation, helping merchants run round-the-clock digital human livestreams across multiple global markets.

Reflecting on the above products, Li described a fundamental shift in the basic unit of productive capacity: where it was once a team, it is now a super individual. In the agent era, every developer is simultaneously a builder, founder, and creator.

Famou Agent 2.0: Agent That Self-Verifies and Closes the Loop Can Evolve Without Limit

Baidu’s self-evolving agent Famou was upgraded to version 2.0 at Create 2026. A self-evolving agent like Famou is designed to address complex operational challenges across industries and help enterprises unlock meaningful productivity gains. The 2.0 version expands direct accessibility to domain experts across three high-value use cases: production scheduling, process optimization, and logistics planning. Commenting on Famou, Li noted that agents capable of self-verification and closed-loop execution could shift efficiency gains from linear to exponential. At one of the world’s most sophisticated automated ports, for instance, Famou Agent autonomously identifies optimal solutions across berth scheduling, equipment allocation, and cargo prioritization, delivering a 10.21% performance improvement on top of an already highly optimized baseline. Famou Agent 2.0 has topped MLE-Bench, winning 9 of the 15 hardest tasks and outperforming agents built on other leading models.

New Full-Stack AI Cloud: The Infrastructure Behind Agents at Scale

Underpinning these agent applications is a series of infrastructure upgrades announced at the same event. Baidu AI Cloud announced a comprehensive upgrade, repositioning itself as a new full-stack AI cloud purpose-built for large-scale agent applications, with upgrades spanning Agent Infra and AI Infra. A dedicated cluster powered by Baidu’s proprietary Kunlunxin AI chip has supported the training of a key model in the ERNIE 5.1 series. Earlier in May, Baidu released ERNIE 5.1, its latest foundation model, which ranked #1 among Chinese models on LMArena’s text and search leaderboards.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under “BIDU” and HKEX under “9888.” One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

Source: Baidu, Inc.

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Piramal Pharma Solutions Unveils State-of-the-Art Payload-Linker Suite at its Riverview, Michigan Facility

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Piramal Pharma Solutions Unveils State-of-the-Art Payload-Linker Suite at its Riverview, Michigan Facility
  • The Riverview facility provides comprehensive services for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and high potency APIs (HPAPIs), including specialized solutions for payload-linkers.
  • This cutting-edge suite will significantly enhance the company’s ability to support global payload-linker development and manufacturing and help partners bring complex therapies like antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and other bioconjugates to market.

MUMBAI, India, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Piramal Pharma Solutions, a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and part of Piramal Pharma Ltd. (NSE: PPLPHARMA) (BSE: 543635) (“PPS”), has officially unveiled a new, state-of-the-art payload-linker development and manufacturing suite at its Riverview, Michigan drug substance facility. This launch is a key element of the company’s broader $90 million investment plan to extend U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities, announced last year. In addition to the payload-linker suite, the plan will add new technology and enhanced commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities at PPS’s dedicated sterile injectables facility in Lexington, Kentucky. These strategic enhancements reinforce PPS’s commitment to bringing complex and innovative therapies to patients quickly and reliably.

Ribbon cutting at Piramal Pharma Solutions’ payload-linker suite, Riverview, MI. Left to right: Peter DeYoung, CEO, Piramal Global Pharma; Nandini Piramal, Chairperson, Piramal Pharma Limited; Herve Berdou, COO, PPS; Manoj Zalpuri, EVP North America Operations, PPS; Bruce Guimares, VP & Site Head, PPS; Stu Needleman, CCO, PPS.
Ribbon cutting at Piramal Pharma Solutions’ payload-linker suite, Riverview, MI. Left to right: Peter DeYoung, CEO, Piramal Global Pharma; Nandini Piramal, Chairperson, Piramal Pharma Limited; Herve Berdou, COO, PPS; Manoj Zalpuri, EVP North America Operations, PPS; Bruce Guimares, VP & Site Head, PPS; Stu Needleman, CCO, PPS.

“The launch of our new payload-linker suite at Riverview marks a major milestone for PPS and our partners,” said Peter DeYoung, CEO, Piramal Global Pharma. “The suite places world-class expertise, advanced technology, and commercial-scale payload-linker capabilities right here in Michigan, empowering our customers to accelerate the development and delivery of life-changing therapies, like ADCs. This investment demonstrates our deep commitment to U.S.-based innovation and manufacturing, ensuring our partners benefit from unmatched efficiency, supply chain security, and a seamless path from concept to clinic for these critical medicines.”

With over 60 years of drug substance development and manufacturing experience, Riverview is a distinguished leader in its field. Drawing on its diverse expertise, the site provides a comprehensive range of capabilities for APIs and HPAPIs. Leveraging its specialized HPAPI knowledge and abilities, Riverview serves as PPS’s dedicated payload-linker supplier, making it critical to ADCelerate™ – PPS’s rapid, integrated approach to phase I ADC development.

The addition of this payload-linker suite is designed to help PPS accelerate partners’ timelines and adapt to evolving market needs. Equipped with advanced containment, automation, and analytical technologies, the suite enables seamless scaling of payload-linker programs. This further strengthens the ADCelerate™ platform and positions PPS to meet the rising demand for ADCs and other bioconjugate therapies.

The expansions in Riverview and Lexington reinforce PPS’s position as the partner of choice for innovator companies looking for patient-centric, U.S.-based drug development and manufacturing solutions.

About Piramal Pharma Solutions

Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our customers through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including drug discovery solutions, process and pharmaceutical development services, clinical trial supplies, commercial supply of APIs, and finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services such as the development and manufacture of highly potent APIs, antibody-drug conjugations, sterile fill/finish, peptide products and services, and potent solid oral drug products. PPS also offers development and manufacturing services for biologics including vaccines and gene therapies, made possible through Piramal Pharma Limited’s associate company, Yapan Bio Private Limited.

For more information visit: Piramal Pharma Solutions | LinkedIn| Facebook | X

About Piramal Pharma Limited

Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL) (NSE: PPLPHARMA) (BSE: 543635), offers a portfolio of differentiated products and services through its 17* global development and manufacturing facilities and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. PPL includes Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization; Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a complex hospital generics business; and the Piramal Consumer Healthcare business, selling over-the-counter consumer and wellness products. In addition, one of PPL’s associate companies, Abbvie Therapeutics India Private Limited, a joint venture between Abbvie and PPL, has emerged as one of the market leaders in the ophthalmology therapy area in the Indian pharma market. Further, PPL has a strategic minority investment in Yapan Bio Private Limited, that operates in the biologics / bio-therapeutics and vaccine segments.

For more information, visit: Piramal Pharma | LinkedIn

Photo: https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2979255/PPS_Ribbon_Cutting.jpg?p=medium600
Logo: https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/1726186/5968626/Piramal_Pharma_Solutions_Logo.jpg?p=medium600

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2026 Summer MICE Offer: voco™ Scenia Bay Nha Trang by IHG Brings a Fresh Perspective to Meetings and Events in Nha Trang

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2026 Summer MICE Offer: voco™ Scenia Bay Nha Trang by IHG Brings a Fresh Perspective to Meetings and Events in Nha Trang

NHA TRANG, Vietnam, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In recent years, expectations around meetings and incentive travel have shifted; corporate groups are increasingly seeking destinations that go beyond functionality, spaces that are memorable and experiential. In this context, voco™ Scenia Bay Nha Trang by IHG is well positioned to meet this shift, combining a distinctive coastal setting with an experience-driven approach to business events.

voco™ Scenia Bay Nha Trang by IHG features naturally lit meeting rooms and flexible event configurations, spacious foyer areas and an ocean-facing ballroom
voco™ Scenia Bay Nha Trang by IHG features naturally lit meeting rooms and flexible event configurations, spacious foyer areas and an ocean-facing ballroom

Set in Nha Trang, one of Vietnam’s most established beach destinations, the hotel draws on the city’s accessibility, coastal setting, and diverse group-friendly experiences, making it suitable for incentive travel, multi-day corporate programmes, and business events beyond meetings.

Located along Pham Van Dong Boulevard, voco™ Scenia Bay Nha Trang by IHG is approximately 40 minutes from Cam Ranh International Airport. The hotel combines practicality with a strong sense of place, where delegates arrive for business but stay immersed in coastal views and relaxed energy. True to the voco™ brand, the property delivers a blend of contemporary design, playful touches, and intuitive hospitality, creating an environment that feels both professional and welcoming.

One of the hotel’s standout advantages for MICE groups is its room offering, with 100% ocean-view rooms across all categories. Lead-in rooms start at 37 square meters, ensuring delegates enjoy a premium stay experience without the need for upgrades. Bright, spacious, and sea-facing, these rooms provide a restorative retreat after a full day of meetings.

The hotel also offers a versatile range of meeting and event spaces designed for conferences, networking functions, and social gatherings. Alongside naturally lit meeting rooms and flexible event configurations, the property features spacious foyer areas and an ocean-facing ballroom with a 7.5-meter ceiling, accommodating up to 360 guests. Beyond meetings, the hotel’s dining venues, rooftop spaces, and social areas allow planners to curate more dynamic multi-day corporate programmes and event experiences.

This summer, voco™ Scenia Bay Nha Trang by IHG introduces an enhanced MICE offering designed to help planners maximise both budget and guest experience. Group bookings benefit from complimentary rooms, bonus delegate packages, and dining upgrades for events of 50 guests or more. Gala dinners are elevated with inclusive beverage offerings, while larger-scale events enjoy exclusive AV and LED privileges to support seamless, high-impact execution. In addition, planners earn 2X points on IHG Business Rewards with every qualifying event, extending value beyond the occasion itself.

For more information, visit the hotel website or contact +84 (0) 258 359 5555 or reservations.voconhatrang@ihg.com. 

END

High-resolution hotel images are available at: Media Gallery

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Archaeologists unearth ancient Roman burials beneath bustling district of coastal tourist destination

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Archaeologists unearth ancient Roman burials beneath bustling district of coastal tourist destination

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Archaeologists have uncovered ancient Roman graves beneath a thriving Adriatic city, offering a glimpse into life long before it became a tourist destination.

The graves were found in the Relja district of Zadar, a coastal city in Croatia. Zadar is known for its coastline and historic charm — which includes plenty of Roman ruins.

A post shared by the University of Zadar’s Department of Archaeology indicated the necropolis dates from the first century B.C. and the fifth century A.D.

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The busy Relja neighborhood stands atop “part of the large ancient necropolis of Roman Zadar,” the department said.

“In Roman times, cemeteries were located outside city walls, most often along main roads, so along one such route the Romans buried their dead here for nearly 500 years,” the post noted.

View of Zadar, looking inside Roman necropolis

Archaeologists in Zadar uncovered ancient Roman graves beneath a modern district, shedding light on centuries of burial practices and evolving cultural traditions in the Adriatic city. (iStock; Odjel za arheologiju, Sveučilište u Zadru via Facebook)

Across the wider Relja area, including a major shopping center and various landmarks, archaeologists have uncovered 3,000 graves, according to the department.

ANCIENT ROMAN THEATER DISCOVERED BENEATH TOWN HALL THANKS TO MASSIVE EARTHQUAKES

“Today, the area where the site is located is one of the most vibrant and fast-developing parts of Zadar,” the post said. “However, back in Roman times, when the necropolis was first established, it lay [in] the suburban area.”

Around 15 ancient burials were found at the site, said Igor Borzić, a professor at the University of Zadar.

“Over time, these burials tend to include fewer grave goods, reflecting a gradual shift in attitudes toward the afterlife.”

The burials “clearly illustrate the typical evolution of funerary practices over the centuries,” Borzić told Fox News Digital on May 3.

“In the first and second centuries A.D., cremation was dominant,” he said, with grave goods including “items such as glass balsamaria, small glass vessels, ceramic bowls, oil lamps, coins and other offerings.”

‘HERMETICALLY SEALED’ ROMAN SARCOPHAGUS FROZEN IN TIME FOR 1,700 YEARS FINALLY OPENED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS

By the second century, inhumation, or body burials, “became increasingly common.”

“Over time,” he said, “these burials tend to include fewer grave goods, reflecting a gradual shift in attitudes toward the afterlife, as well as broader changes in religious beliefs — from pagan traditions of classical antiquity to the eventual dominance of Christianity.”

View of Relja neighborhood buildings, tree

The Relja neighborhood, now a commercial hub, sits atop thousands of graves from Zadar’s Roman past. (Odjel za arheologiju, Sveučilište u Zadru via Facebook)

“Overall, the finds from these 15 or so graves show that the population of Roman Iader closely followed the cultural and religious trends seen across the wider Roman Empire. This further supports the idea of a highly interconnected, culturally cohesive and trend-sensitive society within such a vast imperial system.”

While the discovery may seem unusual beneath a modern city, Borzić said such finds are not unexpected in Zadar.

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“It is difficult to say that anything truly unexpected has emerged, although every single find tells its own story and deserves to be approached as such,” said Borzić.

“Modern archaeology increasingly relies on a wide range of laboratory analyses,” he added, noting they can reveal insights into “origin, diet, health and causes of death.”

“It is precisely in this area that we believe new and potentially surprising information may still come to light,” he said.

Split image of aerial view of excavation site, view of grave goods

Archaeologists say the burial site reflects a gradual shift from cremation to inhumation in Roman-era Croatia. (Odjel za arheologiju, Sveučilište u Zadru via Facebook)

Key finds include a burial that may predate Roman Zadar, likely from the prehistoric Liburnian period, as well as “carbonized remains” from the second or third century A.D.

Borzić said the remains were likely food or grains and will be sent for analysis.

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The archaeologist added that artifacts from the site will be “carefully processed and studied” before being temporarily displayed in the Department of Archaeology’s collection.

The site has yielded 20th-century artifacts from the Italian occupation of Zadar as well, said Borzić — which “serves as yet another reminder of the city’s enduring importance throughout its history.”

View of small grave good in Roman burial in Zadar

“It is difficult to say that anything truly unexpected has emerged, although every single find tells its own story and deserves to be approached as such,” said a professor at the University of Zadar. (Odjel za arheologiju, Sveučilište u Zadru via Facebook)

“That importance largely stems from its strategic position along major maritime routes on the eastern Adriatic, as well as from its exceptionally fertile agricultural hinterland,” he said.

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“Together, these factors ensured that Zadar remained a significant center across many different historical periods.”

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Brisbane abandons plan to return short-stay holiday homes to rental market ahead of Olympics

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Brisbane abandons plan to return short-stay holiday homes to rental market ahead of Olympics

A controversial crackdown on Airbnb, Stayz and other short-stay rental properties has been abandoned just months after sweeping reforms were promised to help free up housing for renters.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirmed on Wednesday a proposed permit scheme for holiday letting “will not proceed at this time”, blaming economic uncertainty, federal property tax changes and rising interest rates for the dramatic reversal.

“Put simply, a lot has changed in recent times, and we don’t believe now is the right time to be adding additional regulation,” he said.

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The decision marks a major retreat from the council’s earlier hardline position, which targeted about 500 of the city’s nearly 2200 short-stay listings and promised to force them back onto the housing market by June 30, 2026.

Under the now-shelved reforms, operators would have needed council permits, public liability insurance, 24-hour complaints contact and strict compliance with zoning laws.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the proposed permit scheme for short-stay accommodation “will not proceed at this time”.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the proposed permit scheme for short-stay accommodation “will not proceed at this time”. Credit: 7NEWS
Brisbane City Council previously claimed the proposed reforms would help return hundreds of properties to the housing market.
Brisbane City Council previously claimed the proposed reforms would help return hundreds of properties to the housing market. Credit: Brisbane City Council

Hosts whose guests repeatedly caused problems faced being stripped of permits under a proposed “three strikes” system, while unapproved operators risked fines exceeding $140,000.

At the time, Schrinner said the changes would “help return hundreds of homes” to renters while protecting suburban neighbourhoods from anti-social behaviour.

The council said the reforms followed recommendations from its Short Stay Accommodation Taskforce, established in 2023 to investigate security concerns, overcrowding and neighbourhood disruption linked to short-term letting.

But the lord mayor now says growth in the sector has slowed and property management standards have “improved dramatically” since the debate began.

Council consultation also found some holiday properties were being used to house domestic violence survivors, insurance claimants and hospital patients, according to the lord mayor.

The council will instead continue enforcing existing local laws and working directly with booking platforms to target disruptive hosts.

Brisbane City Council has abandoned a proposed crackdown on Airbnb, Stayz and other short-stay accommodation operators.
Brisbane City Council has abandoned a proposed crackdown on Airbnb, Stayz and other short-stay accommodation operators. Credit: Daniel Krason – stock.adobe.com

Schrinner said the city receives about 100 complaints a year relating to holiday rentals across a population of more than 1.3 million residents.

Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy told ABC Brisbane the lord mayor had “totally capitulated” to the industry “at the expense of renters”, accusing the LNP of wasting significant time and money on reforms that would now be scrapped.

Industry data suggests demand for short-stay accommodation continues to grow as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympics.

AirDNA reported Brisbane short-stay occupancy rates reached 61 per cent in 2026, up four per cent year-on-year, with properties charging an average nightly rate of about $177.

Hometime also found supply rose 19 per cent during 2025 as operators moved to capitalise on expected tourism demand ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

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New Nature Communications Publication Highlights Efsubaglutide Alfa’s Effects on Glycaemia and β-Cell Function

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New Nature Communications Publication Highlights Efsubaglutide Alfa’s Effects on Glycaemia and β-Cell Function

HONG KONG, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A major new clinical study, SUPER 2, has been published in Nature Communications, reporting that Efsubaglutide Alfa, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, significantly improved glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin, while also demonstrating favorable β-cell functional responses.

The study was led by Academician Weiping Jia and co-corresponded by Professor Qinghua Wang, Distinguished Professor of Fudan University, Founder of Innogen Pharmaceuticals, and inventor of Efsubaglutide Alfa. The publication marks another important milestone in the clinical development of Efsubaglutide Alfa and provides further mechanistic insights into its therapeutic value beyond glucose lowering.

SUPER 2 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-stage adaptive phase IIb/III trial evaluating Efsubaglutide Alfa as add-on therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results showed that Efsubaglutide Alfa significantly improved HbA1c and other key glycaemic measures, with an overall safety profile consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, with mainly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal adverse events.

Importantly, the study went beyond conventional efficacy endpoints and further examined β-cell functional responses using mixed-meal tolerance testing and related metabolic indices. Treatment with Efsubaglutide Alfa was associated with improved postprandial insulin and C-peptide responses, improvement in β-cell function-related parameters, and favorable changes in indices reflecting the integrated relationship between insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. These findings suggest that the clinical benefit of Efsubaglutide Alfa may extend beyond glycaemic control to partial improvement of the underlying pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.

This mechanistic signal is particularly meaningful in light of the team’s earlier Diabetes Remission study, published in Advances in Therapy, which showed that Efsubaglutide Alfa treatment in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes was associated with remission in a proportion of patients after treatment withdrawal. The SUPER 2 data now provide larger-scale clinical support for the concept that improvement in β-cell function may contribute to the longer-term disease-modifying potential of Efsubaglutide Alfa.

Innogen Pharmaceuticals is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and translation of novel therapies for diabetes and other metabolic diseases. The publication of SUPER 2 in Nature Communications not only strengthens the clinical evidence base for Efsubaglutide Alfa, but also highlights the value of integrating mechanistic science, clinical development, and translational medicine to advance next-generation therapies for metabolic diseases.


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Europe is still a hot destination for U.S. tourists, says Mastercard’s Michelle Meyer

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Europe is still a hot destination for U.S. tourists, says Mastercard’s Michelle Meyer

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Michelle Meyer, Mastercard Economics Institute chief economist, joins ‘Power Lunch’ to discuss the state of the travel economy, how its changing and much more.

04:30

Tue, May 12 20262:48 PM EDT

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United Airlines flight attendants ratify new contract with 31% raises this summer

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United Airlines flight attendants ratify new contract with 31% raises this summer

A United Airlines plane approaches the runway at Denver International Airport on March 23, 2026.

Al Drago | Getty Images

United Airlines flight attendants approved a new five-year labor contract with 31% average raises to base pay by August and other improvements, marking the last of the major carriers with unionized flight crews to reach a deal post-Covid.

The labor deal would give United’s roughly 30,000 flight attendants their first raises in close to six years. The company and the flight attendants’ union reached a preliminary deal in March. Crews had rejected a contract last year.

The union said the contract won 82% approval from the flight attendants, with close to 90% of them voting.

“The contract will immediately change the lives of United Flight Attendants, especially our thousands of new hires who have been hired since the pandemic,” said Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants.

The contract also includes boarding pay, or pay for when the aircraft’s door is open and travelers are getting on. Airlines had for years started flight attendants’ pay clock once the boarding door was closed.

The contract comes with a roughly 7% to 8% increase in compensation and $741 million in back pay, as well as quality-of-life improvements like restrictions on red-eye flights and “sit pay” during disruptions of more than 2½ hours.

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SwitchBot Officially Launches KATA Friends, AI Pets That Truly Grow With You

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SwitchBot Officially Launches KATA Friends, AI Pets That Truly Grow With You

TOKYO, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SwitchBot, a leading provider of AI-enabled embodied home robotics systems, today announced the launch of KATA Friends, Noa and Niko, a new series of AI Pets designed to bring companionship, emotional connection, and intelligent interaction into everyday life.

SwitchBot KATA Friends
SwitchBot KATA Friends

Unlike traditional smart devices focused on utility, KATA Friends are designed as companions that live alongside users, learning, responding, and growing over time. By combining AI with expressive design and physical interaction, KATA Friends introduce a new category of home robotics centered on presence and connection.

A Companion That Feels Alive

KATA Friends are designed to feel less like machines and more like living companions. Each one comes with its own personality and evolves based on how users interact with it, ensuring that no two KATA Friends are ever the same.

With expressive eyes, natural movements, and 12 touch-sensitive zones across its body, KATA Friends react intuitively to hugs, gestures, and everyday interaction. They can move independently around the home, avoid obstacles, and return to their charging base on their own, reinforcing a sense of autonomy and lifelike behavior.

Understands You and Adapts to Your Life

Designed to integrate naturally into daily routines, KATA Friends respond to voice commands, gestures, and behavioral cues. Users can call them over, interact through simple gestures, or communicate using everyday language, creating an experience that feels intuitive and engaging.

Beyond direct interaction, KATA Friends observe and respond to user behavior. They can greet users in the morning, wait by the door when someone is about to arrive, or quietly offer companionship during moments of rest. Through voice emotion recognition, they can also sense changes in mood and respond accordingly, adding an emotional layer to everyday interaction.

A Personalized Companion That Grows Over Time

KATA Friends are designed to build long-term relationships with users. They can recognize different members of a household and respond uniquely to each individual, remembering preferences and interaction patterns over time.

As users spend more time with their KATA Friend, it develops its own behavior and attachment patterns, shaped entirely by how it is “raised.” It can also document shared experiences by keeping a diary of daily interactions and capturing photos from its own perspective, allowing users to revisit moments through the eyes of their companion.

In addition, KATA Friends offer customization options, including interchangeable outfits and accessories, allowing users to personalize both appearance and personality.

Powered by AI for Real-Time Interaction

KATA Friends are equipped with cameras, sensors, and AI capabilities, enabling them to process interactions locally and respond in real time.

The on-device LLM allows KATA Friends to understand speech without relying on constant connectivity, while local visual data processing capabilities enable KATA Friends with gesture comprehension and facial recognition, ensuring responsive interaction and enhanced privacy. Meanwhile, with the Chat Mode, KATA Friends can conduct conversations with users for even more authentic and immersive interactions.

Expanding the Role of AI in Everyday Life

With KATA Friends, SwitchBot expands its vision of embodied AI beyond convenience and automation into companionship. By focusing on interaction, personalization, and emotional intelligence, KATA Friends introduce a new way for users to engage with AI, one that is more human-centered, intuitive, and meaningful.

Pricing and Availability

KATA Friends will be available through the official SwitchBot website, with an MSRP starting at USD 699.99 / GBP 599.99 / EUR 599.99 / CAD 999.99.

For more information, please visit SwitchBot’s official website and follow SwitchBot on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Kit: SwitchBot KATA Friends

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Lost pages with ‘ghost’ text recovered from one of the world’s most important New Testament manuscripts

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Lost pages with ‘ghost’ text recovered from one of the world’s most important New Testament manuscripts

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Researchers recently recovered 42 lost pages from Codex H, one of the world’s most important early New Testament manuscripts.

Codex H, short for Codex Hierosolymitanus, is a palimpsest — meaning parts of the manuscript were reused and rewritten over the centuries.

Researchers were tipped off after discovering the manuscript had been re-inked, leaving faint mirror-image traces of the original text.

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Then they used modern technology, including multispectral imaging, to recover “ghost” text that isn’t visible to the human eye.

The discovery was announced by the University of Glasgow in an April 24 press release.

Split image of modern researchers working in lab, St Paul painting

Researchers have recovered 42 previously lost pages from Codex H, an early New Testament manuscript that contains a copy of the Letters of St. Paul. (Damianos Kasotakis; Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images)

“The fragments show how 6th-century scribes corrected, annotated and interacted with sacred texts,” the university noted in its release, with the physical state of the manuscript revealing “how sacred works were reused and repurposed once they fell into disrepair.”

The text, which does not contain any new scripture, dates back to the sixth century and is a copy of the Letters of St. Paul.

It was disassembled in the 13th century at the Megisti Lavra monastery on Mount Athos, Greece.

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Since then, its pages have been scattered across libraries in Europe, with only fragments of the original manuscript surviving, including some held by the University of Glasgow.

It was within these fragments that a team of researchers identified the lost pages, including ancient chapter lists, which “differ drastically from how we divide these letters today,” the university said.

Close-up of ancient text in lab

The text was originally disassembled in the 13th century at a monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. (Damianos Kasotakis)

Codex H’s significance stems in part from its rarity, said Garrick Allen, a University of Glasgow professor who led the project.

“It’s an important witness to the text of Paul’s Letters in a period where we don’t have that many manuscripts,” the professor told Fox News Digital, referring to the sixth to ninth centuries.

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The practice of marking up biblical texts dates back centuries, much as readers still do today — and Codex H preserves over 1,000 years of annotations.

“Manuscripts of the New Testament and other literature were often annotated and marked up by scribes and readers,” Allen noted.

“We have recovered [these pages] due to the unintended results of a medieval conservationist.”

Codex H, for example, includes “over 70 corrections to the text itself by a scribe who compared its text against another manuscript,” the professor said.

The manuscript also contains “many annotations by at least 15 later readers who left their marks through prayers, poems, grammatical notes and other information.”

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“These types of notes are not unusual but, because Codex H had such a long life in many forms, its pages attracted many interested readers — and these annotations are often the only tangible evidence left that these anonymous people existed,” said Allen.

As for why the manuscript was disassembled, Allen suggested it likely “reached the end of its working life.”

Image of ancient manuscripts through modern imaging technology

The recovered pages from Codex H offer new insight into how the Letters of St. Paul were copied and studied. (Early Manuscripts Electronic Library, Monastery of Great Lavra)

“Six hundred to 700 years is a long time for a book to be kept in working order, even though we know that at least one person attempted to conserve it during this period through re-copying,” he said.

“In a remote location like Mount Athos in a period where parchment was very expensive to produce, it makes sense that the monastery reused this manuscript to keep up other books in their library.”

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Ironically, breaking the manuscript apart helped preserve it, Allen noted — its pages were reused inside other books and eventually spread across European collections.

“The book was re-inked in its entirety at some point in its working life, meaning that someone rewrote over the existing text … in an attempt to keep the book usable for a new generation,” said Allen.

“This process makes me optimistic that many ancient manuscripts still have much more to tell us about the people who made and used them.”

“Eventually, the book was disbound and reused as binding material and flyleaves when librarians at the Megisti Lavra monastery on Mount Athos repaired other books in their collection. It’s this repurposing of this ancient book that led to its continued existence.”

The most surprising part of the discovery, Allen said, was the sense of awe in reading biblical texts that “no longer exist.”

Close-up of ancient text in lab, painting of St Paul

The discovery reveals new details about how early Christian scribes copied and corrected the Letters of St. Paul. (Damianos Kasotakis; Leemage/Corbis via Getty Images)

“We have recovered [these pages] only due to the unintended results of a medieval conservationist,” the expert said.

“This process makes me optimistic that many ancient manuscripts still have much more to tell us about the people who made and used them.”

That progress is being driven in part by advances in imaging technology, Allen added.

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“Although each manuscript is by definition unique and presents its own challenges, we think that we’ve developed a model for working with challenging manuscripts like palimpsests at a larger scale,” he said.

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“When manuscript and biblical scholars work closely with imaging specialists, data scientists, monastic communities, museums, and other local partners, we can really make progress in our understanding of these important documents.”

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