Business News and Headlines

CT REIT Reports Q4 and 2025 Annual Financial Results, Portfolio Continues to Expand
NewsFeb 18, 2026

CT REIT Reports Q4 and 2025 Annual Financial Results, Portfolio Continues to Expand

CT Real Estate Investment Trust reported a strong 2025 year, investing roughly $235 million in projects and expanding its portfolio by about 893,000 sq ft of gross leasable area. The fourth quarter saw net income rise to $191.3 million, up $56 million year‑over‑year, and AFFO...

By Retail Insider Canada
Energy Transition Underpins Dry Bulk Sector
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Energy Transition Underpins Dry Bulk Sector

Electric‑vehicle sales have surged nearly 700% this decade, driving a rapid rise in spodumene shipments from Australia to China and doubling bulk volumes since 2023. Panamax vessels now carry almost half of the 7 million tonnes of dry bulk moved last...

By Seatrade Maritime
Why Mergers Fail and How to Spot Trouble Early
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Why Mergers Fail and How to Spot Trouble Early

M&A activity remains a high‑stakes gamble, with nearly half of large U.S. acquisitions eventually undone. A 27‑year study of 1,636 S&P 500 deals shows a 46% divestiture rate and an average ten‑year lag before breakup. Failures cluster around two patterns:...

By MIT Sloan Management Review
Illinois Governor Pritzker to Call for Two-Year Suspension of Data Center Tax Incentives – Report
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Illinois Governor Pritzker to Call for Two-Year Suspension of Data Center Tax Incentives – Report

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker plans to request a two‑year suspension of tax incentives for new data centers, pending a study of the sector’s impact on the state’s electricity grid and residential bills. Current incentives grant up to 20 years of...

By Data Center Dynamics
How Can AI Support Knowledge Management
NewsFeb 18, 2026

How Can AI Support Knowledge Management

AI is becoming a core enabler for knowledge management, helping firms capture, organize, and reuse both tacit and explicit knowledge as senior employees retire. Research shows only 8% of organizations consistently retain retiring workers' expertise, while AI tools can automate...

By APQC Blog
Air Traffic Controller Pay Raise Stalled by DHS Shutdown
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Air Traffic Controller Pay Raise Stalled by DHS Shutdown

The ongoing Homeland Security Department shutdown has frozen the $140 million earmarked for a 3.8% pay raise for air traffic controllers. While the House passed a minibus appropriations package, Senate Democrats withdrew support, leaving the raise in limbo until after the...

By GovExec
Glencore Doubles Down on Copper, Keeps M&A in Play
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Glencore Doubles Down on Copper, Keeps M&A in Play

Glencore has secured a land‑access agreement with Gecamines that extends the Kamoto Copper Company’s mine life into the mid‑2040s and unlocks additional ore zones, enabling the asset to target 300,000 tonnes of copper annually. The deal is a cornerstone of...

By MINING.com
S. Korea Seeks to Reinstate No-Fly Zone Under Suspended 2018 Inter-Korean Military Pact
NewsFeb 18, 2026

S. Korea Seeks to Reinstate No-Fly Zone Under Suspended 2018 Inter-Korean Military Pact

South Korea announced it will seek to reinstate the no‑fly zone over the Demilitarized Zone that was established under the 2018 inter‑Korean military agreement. Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young disclosed the plan after earlier apologising for civilian‑operated drones that entered North...

By The Korea Herald
VMO2 Owners Make Substantial Acquisition to Gain Altnet Broadband Business
NewsFeb 18, 2026

VMO2 Owners Make Substantial Acquisition to Gain Altnet Broadband Business

InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefónica, via their joint venture Nexfibre, announced a £2 bn acquisition of Substantial Group, the owner of altnet Netomnia. The deal adds roughly three million premises and 450,000 customers, targeting an eight‑million‑premise footprint by 2027 and a...

By ComputerWeekly
DRDGold Makes Light of R10bn Outlay with Record Dividend
NewsFeb 18, 2026

DRDGold Makes Light of R10bn Outlay with Record Dividend

DRDGOLD posted a record 50c interim dividend while financing its R10 billion Vision 2028 expansion entirely from free cash flow, despite a 9% dip in gold output. The company benefited from a $3,788‑per‑ounce gold price, which boosted revenue and lifted cash balances...

By Miningmx
DHT VLCC Clocks $90,000 a Day on One-Year Deal
NewsFeb 18, 2026

DHT VLCC Clocks $90,000 a Day on One-Year Deal

DHT Holdings has secured a one‑year charter for its 2012‑built VLCC DHT Opal at $90,000 per day, starting this month. The rate underscores how tight the market has become for the world’s largest crude carriers, with Gulf‑China spot earnings now...

By Splash 247
REX Partners with CAIS, RBC Capital Markets, and Bloomberg Indices to Launch Autocallable Income ETF
NewsFeb 18, 2026

REX Partners with CAIS, RBC Capital Markets, and Bloomberg Indices to Launch Autocallable Income ETF

REX Shares has launched the REX Autocallable Income ETF (ATCL) in partnership with CAIS, RBC Capital Markets, and Bloomberg Index Services. The fund tracks the Bloomberg US Large Cap VolMax Autocallable Total Return Index, using a laddered portfolio of autocallable...

By ETFtv
Circuit Raises $30M in Funding
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Circuit Raises $30M in Funding

Circuit, an Austin‑based AI platform for manufacturing and service firms, announced a $30 million financing round. The round was led by a roster of high‑profile backers including Jim Breyer, Lew Cirne, and other tech investors. CEO Tyson Tuttle said the capital...

By FinSMEs
Q&A with Synthesia Founder and CEO Victor Riparbelli on Growing the London-Based Enterprise AI Video Platform, Hitting a $4B Valuation,...
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Q&A with Synthesia Founder and CEO Victor Riparbelli on Growing the London-Based Enterprise AI Video Platform, Hitting a $4B Valuation,...

Synthesia, the London‑based AI video platform, has scaled to a $4 billion valuation as it expands its enterprise customer base. Founder and CEO Victor Riparbelli discussed the company’s mission to overhaul content creation using synthetic video and the strategic steps driving...

By Techmeme
Businesses Move to Rein In AI in the Shift to Autonomous Finance
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Businesses Move to Rein In AI in the Shift to Autonomous Finance

Enterprises are granting AI agents authority to initiate payments, approve refunds, and orchestrate cross‑functional workflows, shifting from assistance to autonomous action. Security researchers warn that more than 1.5 million deployed agents could be exposed to misuse, expanding the attack surface faster...

By PYMNTS
STAT+: Biotech Startup Raises $175 Million to Advance Alzheimer’s Antibody Therapy
NewsFeb 18, 2026

STAT+: Biotech Startup Raises $175 Million to Advance Alzheimer’s Antibody Therapy

Korsana Biosciences announced a $175 million financing round led by Fairmount, Venrock, Wellington Management and TCGX to develop its Alzheimer’s antibody candidate KRSA‑028. The startup positions KRSA‑028 as a next‑generation “brain shuttle” designed to clear amyloid plaques more efficiently than existing...

By STAT (Biotech)
AI Threatens Staffing Industry as Companies Bring Recruitment In-House
NewsFeb 18, 2026

AI Threatens Staffing Industry as Companies Bring Recruitment In-House

Artificial intelligence is rapidly automating core recruitment tasks, enabling employers to screen resumes, rank candidates, and conduct initial interviews without external recruiters. This technological shift allows companies to bring talent acquisition in‑house, diminishing reliance on traditional staffing firms such as...

By Bloomberg – Technology
Eddie Bauer Files for Bankruptcy
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Eddie Bauer Files for Bankruptcy

Eddie Bauer announced a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the District of New Jersey, attributing the move to a consumer shift toward online shopping, persistent inflation and higher tariffs. The filing, the company’s third, outlines a plan to sell some...

By Retail Customer Experience
Jeff's Bagel Run: From Garage Bagels to 30 and Growing
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Jeff's Bagel Run: From Garage Bagels to 30 and Growing

Jeff Perera, co‑founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run, recounts how a garage‑started bagel shop expanded to nearly 30 locations with new openings each week. The Founderology podcast episode reveals the pivotal choices that moved the brand out of the "stuck zone,"...

By Fast Casual
5 Romanian Fintech Startups to Watch, According to Investors
NewsFeb 18, 2026

5 Romanian Fintech Startups to Watch, According to Investors

Independent projections show Romania’s digital payments could reach nearly $93.5 billion by 2030, expanding at just over 20% CAGR. This surge is fueling demand for fintech solutions that serve an increasingly digital SME landscape. Investors highlighted five startups—FilmChain, Finqware, Lendox, Symphopay...

By The Recursive
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 Returns to Spotlight AI, Robotics, and Urban Resilience
NewsFeb 18, 2026

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 Returns to Spotlight AI, Robotics, and Urban Resilience

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 will run April 27‑29 at Tokyo Big Sight, marking its fourth edition and the largest innovation gathering in Asia. The conference will focus on AI, robotics, urban resilience and entertainment, drawing...

By e27
Epetōme Secures Multi-Million-Pound Investment to Scale Its Subscription-Based Gut Health Range Globally
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Epetōme Secures Multi-Million-Pound Investment to Scale Its Subscription-Based Gut Health Range Globally

Epetōme, the UK‑based gut‑health brand founded by nutritionist Emily English, has secured a multi‑million‑pound investment led by Active Partners and Redrice Ventures. The funding will accelerate its international rollout and fund expanded clinical trials on probiotics and prebiotics. Since its...

By InternetRetailing
The Unseen Engine: How Enterprise Storage Is Powering Business Innovation in Ireland
NewsFeb 18, 2026

The Unseen Engine: How Enterprise Storage Is Powering Business Innovation in Ireland

Enterprise storage in Ireland has evolved from a back‑end utility to a strategic engine that underpins AI, multicloud and data‑driven initiatives. Dell’s Innovation Catalyst Study shows 48% of Irish firms prioritize data readiness for AI, yet 66% remain in early...

By Irish Tech News
How a Fatehpur Entrepreneur Brought Mumbai Street Food to His City
NewsFeb 18, 2026

How a Fatehpur Entrepreneur Brought Mumbai Street Food to His City

Former sales executive Mohammad Naushad launched a Hatke Cafe franchise in Fatehpur, offering Mumbai‑style fast food. He financed the venture with personal savings and a ₹5 lakh interest‑free loan from the state’s CM YUVA scheme. The franchise provides operational support and...

By YourStory
From Unstable Income to Cyber Cafe: Ambedkar Nagar’s Digital Hub
NewsFeb 18, 2026

From Unstable Income to Cyber Cafe: Ambedkar Nagar’s Digital Hub

Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Daudpur village in Ambedkar Nagar, secured a Rs 1.5 lakh interest‑free loan under the CM YUVA scheme and launched Vyam Janseva Kendra, a cyber‑cafe‑style digital services hub. The centre provides Aadhaar, PAN, passport, ration‑card, pension and bill‑payment...

By YourStory
Saudi Arabia Mandates Workplace Training for Graduates in Private-Sector Reform
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Saudi Arabia Mandates Workplace Training for Graduates in Private-Sector Reform

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has issued a directive obligating private‑sector firms with at least 50 employees to run structured workplace‑training programmes for Saudi graduates and job seekers. Companies must train a minimum of two percent...

By HR Katha (India)
ARCO Appoints Commercial Aviation Head
NewsFeb 18, 2026

ARCO Appoints Commercial Aviation Head

ARCO National Construction announced the appointment of Scott Rightnowar as head of its commercial aviation division. Rightnowar will oversee national airport, airline, hangar, and MRO development programs, leveraging more than a decade of executive aviation and industrial real‑estate experience. His...

By Airports International
FinScan Expands Real-Time AML Across Global Rails
NewsFeb 18, 2026

FinScan Expands Real-Time AML Across Global Rails

FinScan, Innovative Systems' AML platform, has added real‑time screening for modern payment rails such as IACH and Fedwire ISO 20022, boosting its capacity to process over 100 million transactions daily. The upgrade introduces advanced conditional logic, API‑first data quality tools, and enhanced...

By Fintech Global
How Invoices Work Step by Step for Freelancers and Small Businesses
NewsFeb 18, 2026

How Invoices Work Step by Step for Freelancers and Small Businesses

Invoicing is a critical financial and branding tool for freelancers and small businesses, turning completed work into a formal payment request and record. A professional invoice includes clear business and client details, a unique number, dates, itemized services, and payment...

By TechBullion
​EBA Issues Opinion to the European Commission on the Draft Amended European Sustainability Reporting Standards
NewsFeb 18, 2026

​EBA Issues Opinion to the European Commission on the Draft Amended European Sustainability Reporting Standards

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has issued an Opinion to the European Commission on the draft amended European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) prepared by EFRAG. While the EBA welcomes the simplifications that reduce reporting costs, it warns that permanent reliefs...

By EBA – News
Security Metrics That Actually Predict a Breach
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Security Metrics That Actually Predict a Breach

The article argues that traditional security dashboards hide the true predictors of a breach, emphasizing metrics that expose process debt, access sprawl, and human behavior. It highlights four high‑impact signals: credential reuse and identity drift, stale access paths, alert‑fatigue ratios,...

By Security Boulevard
Microsoft on Pace to Invest $50B Into AI for Global South
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Microsoft on Pace to Invest $50B Into AI for Global South

Microsoft announced a $50 billion commitment to accelerate artificial‑intelligence adoption across the Global South by 2030. The plan, unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit, follows a five‑pronged approach covering infrastructure, skills training, multilingual models, local innovation and impact measurement. Microsoft...

By YourStory
AI Likely to Put a Major Strain on Global Networks—Are Enterprises Ready?
NewsFeb 18, 2026

AI Likely to Put a Major Strain on Global Networks—Are Enterprises Ready?

Enterprise networks face unprecedented strain as AI workloads surge, generating unpredictable, high‑volume traffic across regions. A recent Broadcom study shows only 49% of organizations believe their networks can meet AI’s bandwidth and latency demands, despite 99% adopting cloud strategies. Retrieval‑augmented...

By Network World
Edge Data Centers Vs. Edge Devices: When to Use Each
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Edge Data Centers Vs. Edge Devices: When to Use Each

Edge computing can be delivered via purpose‑built edge data centers or through distributed edge devices such as gateways, sensors, and consumer hardware. Data centers provide consolidated compute, storage, and robust security for high‑throughput, latency‑sensitive workloads, while devices excel at mobile,...

By Data Center Knowledge
Official Statistics: Forecasts for the UK Economy: February 2026
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Official Statistics: Forecasts for the UK Economy: February 2026

HM Treasury published its monthly "Forecasts for the UK economy" comparison on 18 February 2026. The 27‑page PDF presents short‑term forecasts for 2026‑27 and financial year 2025‑26/2026‑27, alongside medium‑term projections through 2030 and FY 2029‑30. The data reflect only the views of a selected...

By HM Treasury – Atom feed
EntertainHR: Knives Out: The Mystery of the Independent Contractor
NewsFeb 18, 2026

EntertainHR: Knives Out: The Mystery of the Independent Contractor

The HR Daily Advisor piece uses the latest Knives Out film as a metaphor to explain independent‑contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It outlines the six‑factor economic‑reality test that courts apply to determine whether a worker is an...

By HR Daily Advisor
ZEPA Launches Battery-Electric Container Handling Standards, Load Tool
NewsFeb 18, 2026

ZEPA Launches Battery-Electric Container Handling Standards, Load Tool

The Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA) introduced a load‑profile explorer, transition guide, and updated voluntary standards to accelerate battery‑electric container‑handling equipment adoption. The standards aim to reduce design fragmentation and improve interoperability, while total‑cost‑of‑ownership data shows electric gear remains pricier...

By Seatrade Maritime
£20M Fund Backs UK Addiction Treatment Tech
NewsFeb 18, 2026

£20M Fund Backs UK Addiction Treatment Tech

The UK government, via Innovate UK, has launched a £20 million funding programme to accelerate development of medicines, medical devices, wearables, virtual‑reality therapies and AI‑enabled tools for drug and alcohol addiction. Grants of up to £10 million for late‑stage projects and up to...

By Startups Magazine
G-Rani Wants to Formalise Kenya’s Informal Carpooling Culture
NewsFeb 18, 2026

G-Rani Wants to Formalise Kenya’s Informal Carpooling Culture

Kenyan mobility startup G‑rani launched a mobile platform to formalise informal car‑pooling, aiming to cut commuting costs and congestion in Nairobi. Since its public debut in June 2025, the app has attracted about 7,000 sign‑ups, with a quarter of users actively...

By Techpoint Africa
Global 5G Standalone Dynamic Shifts From Coverage to Capability
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Global 5G Standalone Dynamic Shifts From Coverage to Capability

5G standalone (SA) networks have moved from launch to execution, with global SA availability rising to 17.6% in Q4 2025 and delivering a 52% speed premium over non‑standalone (NSA) networks. The Gulf Cooperation Council, led by the UAE, now tops performance...

By ComputerWeekly
French VC Quantonation Raises €220 Million for Flagship Quantum and Deep-Physics Fund
NewsFeb 18, 2026

French VC Quantonation Raises €220 Million for Flagship Quantum and Deep-Physics Fund

Quantonation Ventures closed its second flagship fund at €220 million, making it the world’s largest dedicated quantum‑investment vehicle by assets under management. The round attracted both returning backers such as Vertex Holdings and new limited partners including the European Investment Fund,...

By EU-Startups
CYBERSPAN Brings AI-Driven, Agentless Network Detection to MSSP Environments
NewsFeb 18, 2026

CYBERSPAN Brings AI-Driven, Agentless Network Detection to MSSP Environments

IntelliGenesis launched CYBERSPAN, an AI‑driven network detection and response solution tailored for managed security service providers. The platform offers a multi‑tenant, agentless architecture that can be deployed on‑premises or in the cloud, integrating with existing SIEM, SOAR and ticketing tools...

By Help Net Security
Extens-Backed Orthalis Picks up Dentalsoft
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Extens-Backed Orthalis Picks up Dentalsoft

Orthalis, backed by private equity firm Extens, announced the acquisition of Dentalsoft, a specialist orthodontic software provider. The purchase creates a new entity, SignalSoft Développement, focused on delivering software services to orthodontic professionals. By integrating Dentalsoft’s tools, Orthalis expands its...

By PE Hub
Netflix Opens Mexico City Headquarters; Expands Local Workforce
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Netflix Opens Mexico City Headquarters; Expands Local Workforce

Netflix has opened a new 8,500‑square‑metre headquarters in Mexico City, cementing its commitment to the country’s booming audiovisual sector. The facility serves both as a corporate base and a creative workspace, featuring a 278‑square‑metre post‑production suite. Netflix’s investment of $1 billion...

By HR Katha (India)
Yangzijiang Maritime to Hold EGM on Mar 6 on Proposed Share Buyback
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Yangzijiang Maritime to Hold EGM on Mar 6 on Proposed Share Buyback

Yangzijiang Maritime announced an extraordinary general meeting on 6 March to seek approval for a share‑buyback program covering up to 10% of its issued stock, roughly 348.9 million shares. The company set price caps of 105% for on‑market purchases and 120% for...

By The Business Times (Singapore) – Companies & Markets
Experience Economy Pushes Payments to $20B Super Bowl Test
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Experience Economy Pushes Payments to $20B Super Bowl Test

The 2026 Super Bowl generated roughly $20.2 billion in experience‑economy spending, spanning tickets, merchandise, streaming and legal wagering. Paysafe’s CEO Bruce Lowthers highlighted the need for payment platforms that can process massive, real‑time transactions across multiple methods without friction. AI‑driven fraud...

By PYMNTS
Stockholm-Based Hybridity Raises €2 Million to Automate Regulatory Compliance Through AI
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Stockholm-Based Hybridity Raises €2 Million to Automate Regulatory Compliance Through AI

Swedish RegTech startup Hybridity announced a €2 million funding round to accelerate commercialisation of its AI‑driven compliance platform Hy5. The round brings the company’s total capital to €5 million and adds investors such as Henrik Ekelund, Hans Otterling and family office Fonos....

By EU-Startups
Thermal Intelligence Company Raises £30m in NATO-Backed Round
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Thermal Intelligence Company Raises £30m in NATO-Backed Round

SatVu, a London‑based defence‑tech firm, raised £30 million in a round backed by the NATO Innovation Fund, the British Business Bank and other investors. The funding brings total capital to £60 million and will enable the company to expand from a single‑satellite...

By UKTN (UK Tech News)
When I Selected, 'Rather Not Say', Gemini Said, 'I'll Decide for You'. In Case It's Not Obvious, Here's Why that...
NewsFeb 18, 2026

When I Selected, 'Rather Not Say', Gemini Said, 'I'll Decide for You'. In Case It's Not Obvious, Here's Why that...

Enterprise AI is being deployed as core infrastructure that routinely infers personal identity attributes such as gender, voice, and facial characteristics. In Google Gemini Meet Notes, a non‑binary user who selected "Rather not say" was mis‑gendered as "she," illustrating how...

By Diginomica