77% of Banks Prioritise Compliance over Payment UX
European banks are increasingly putting regulatory compliance ahead of payment user experience, according to Aqua Global’s survey of 150 IT leaders. Seventy‑seven percent say compliance demands outweigh customer needs, and 67% devote more time to meeting new rules than enhancing UX. The study also reveals that 60% struggle with legacy infrastructure, while 81% view a unified messaging hub as critical for future resilience. Migration to ISO 20022 and upcoming T+1 settlement have exposed structural weaknesses, causing downtime for many institutions.
TD Bank Expands Embedded Banking with Workday Integration for U.S. Business Clients
TD Bank announced a new embedded banking solution that integrates directly with Workday’s cloud‑based ERP for U.S. business clients. The service lets companies access credit, payments and cash‑management tools within Workday’s workflow, reducing manual hand‑offs. Early adopters will receive a...
Risk of Instability in Iraq Following Strikes on Iran Examined in New Report
A new EdgeTheory report warns that the U.S. strike on Iran‑backed militia Kataʼib Hezbollah on Feb. 28 has heightened instability risks in Iraq. The analysis links rising militia retaliation and amplified narrative activity to Iraq’s already fragile Shi’a‑dominated political system. Researchers...
Fintech Firms Accelerate Account Wins as Digital Momentum Reshapes Banking Competition
Fintech challengers are adding new banking and investment accounts faster than traditional banks, driven by streamlined digital onboarding and mobile‑first experiences. The J.D. Power report shows mass‑market customers gravitating toward neobanks, with Chime leading checking‑account acquisition and SoFi posting the...
Olympus Unveils VISERA ELITE III Platform to Improve Surgical Visualisation
Olympus has introduced the VISERA ELITE III surgical imaging platform in the United States, the third joint offering from the Sony‑Olympus Medical partnership. The system combines continuous auto‑focus, true 4K, 3D, narrow‑band and fluorescence (IR/ICG) imaging in a single software‑driven unit that...
Ormat Achieves Higher Electricity Prices: Ormat Extends Power Purchase Agreements for Geothermal Power Plant in California
Ormat Technologies has renegotiated its power purchase agreements for the 15 MW portion of the Casa Diablo IV geothermal plant, extending the contracts to 2037. The new "blend‑and‑extend" deals raise the electricity price by roughly 27 percent and increase each off‑taker’s commitment...
Listen to the RF Podcast #8: ‘Battery/Electric Locos Are the Way to Go’
At RailTech Europe 2026, Nexrail’s Chief Business Development Officer Mark Remie discussed a hybrid battery‑electric locomotive strategy on RF Podcast #8. The approach combines on‑board batteries with grid electricity to capture regenerative braking energy and reduce fuel consumption by up...
Michelle W Bowman: Liquidity Resiliency, Financial Stability, and the Role of the Federal Reserve
Michelle Bowman opened a roundtable on the U.S. bank liquidity framework, reviewing the Liquidity Coverage Ratio, Net Stable Funding Ratio, internal stress testing and resolution planning. She argued that fifteen years after the financial crisis, these tools often create excess...
UK 'Must Link Energy with National Security'
A RenewableUK‑commissioned report urges the UK government to treat energy security as a core component of national security. The study, conducted with Public First and the Royal United Services Institute, warns that reliance on imported fossil fuels leaves the country...
Standard Bank IT Bill Tops R14-Billion as Software Spending Shifts
Standard Bank Group reported a R14.1 billion spend on cloud, software and technology in 2025, an 8.7% year‑on‑year rise that lifted tech costs to roughly 14% of total operating expenses. At the same time, capitalised software outlays fell 28%, signalling a...
Regulatory Compliance for Enterprise Email
Enterprise email is now a security perimeter, and regulatory compliance has shifted from a checkbox to a strategic imperative. Certifications such as SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 provide the architectural blueprints that turn email into a trust asset rather than...
Transportation Department Hosts Nationwide Events to Connect Small Businesses With Infrastructure Contracts
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a series of Small Business Matchmaking Summits across the country, beginning with a kickoff in Phoenix on March 11. Over 300 small firms have already registered to meet federal decision‑makers and learn how to...
Your Employees Aren’t Lazy, They’re Afraid
Employees often appear lazy or resistant, but neuroscience shows they’re actually in threat mode due to change fatigue. The amygdala treats reorganizations, AI rollouts, or new leadership as physical danger, shutting down the pre‑frontal cortex and narrowing focus. Gallup’s 2025...
Cisco Patches High-Severity IOS XR Vulnerabilities
Cisco issued its semiannual IOS XR security advisory, addressing four high‑severity vulnerabilities. Two CVEs (CVE‑2026‑20040 and CVE‑2026‑20046) each score 8.8 and enable privilege escalation to root via crafted CLI commands. A third flaw (CVE‑2026‑20074) can cause an IS‑IS process restart,...
Healthcare Under Attack? Why Is Cybersecurity Now Critical?
African hospitals, labs and digital health platforms are experiencing a surge in cyberattacks as they digitise services. In 2025 the continent saw an average of 3,575 weekly attacks—a 38% rise—affecting institutions like Mediclinic, the National Health Laboratory Service and Kenya’s...
Gesynta Pharma Doses First Patient in Phase II NOVA Trial
Gesynta Pharma has begun dosing the first patient in its Phase II NOVA trial, evaluating oral vipoglanstat for endometriosis. The double‑blind, placebo‑controlled study will enroll about 190 women across Europe and compare two dose levels against placebo over four menstrual cycles....
Data Centers as Growth Driver: FuelCell Energy Increases Revenue by 61% in Q1 – Net Income Remains Negative
FuelCell Energy reported a 61% year‑on‑year revenue increase to $30.5 million in Q1 FY2026, driven primarily by a surge in its product business and higher service contract sales. The product segment leapt from $0.07 million to $12 million, while power‑generation revenue slipped slightly....
Oil Prices Go Up 6% as Hormuz Shipping Crisis Deepens
Oil prices surged on Thursday as Iran intensified attacks on oil and transport infrastructure, reigniting fears of prolonged disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures jumped 6.47% to $97.93 a barrel, briefly touching $100, while U.S. WTI rose 6%...
ICAO Invites Applicants for TAB 2026 Assessment Cycle and Stricter LOA Requirements to Affect CORSIA Phase 2 Supply
ICAO’s Technical Advisory Body (TAB) has opened applications for its 2026 assessment cycle, introducing substantially stricter host‑party attestation (Letter of Authorization) requirements and tighter integrity criteria. The TAB will no longer consider first‑phase programs for new eligibility, though successful 2026...
TBM Launched on National Grid’s 2.2km Power Tunnel Under the Thames
National Grid’s Grain to Tilbury project has launched a 271.5‑ton tunnel boring machine, named Caroline, to excavate a 2.2 km, 4‑metre‑diameter power tunnel beneath the River Thames. The TBM employs a “flying launch” technique, with an initial excavation rate of 0.9 m...
Brits Rethink Fashion Purchases as ‘Investment Wardrobes’ Gain Traction
UK shoppers are increasingly evaluating clothing on a cost‑per‑wear basis, with 70 % of adults and 79 % of 25‑34‑year‑olds prioritizing long‑term value over price. The trend, described as “investment wardrobes,” is driven by sustainability concerns and a desire for durable pieces....
Wales Urged to Overhaul Transport Network with Third Menai Bridge and Rail Reopenings
Centre Think Tank’s report calls for a sweeping overhaul of Wales’s transport network, highlighting the need for a £400 million third Menai Strait crossing, rail line reopenings and electrification, and relief road upgrades. It urges devolving rail infrastructure and bus policy...
Is A New Global Apparel Industry Emerging?
Robert Antoshak argues that a new global apparel ecosystem is forming as manufacturers scramble to bypass volatile tariff regimes. Companies are reshoring, leveraging digital cut‑and‑sew platforms, and adopting sustainable fibers to meet shifting consumer expectations. Trade policy volatility is prompting...
Delhi HC Seeks Reply on Hero Moto's 'MotorHunk' Plea
The Delhi High Court directed the Registrar of Trademarks to respond to Hero MotoCorp’s appeal against the registration of the “MotorHunk” mark owned by Nitin Khanna’s automotive‑accessories platform. Hero argues that “MotorHunk” is deceptively similar to its own “Hunk” trademark...
European Fintechs Remain Reliant on US Investors, but Sovereignty Gap Is Closing
Finch Capital’s latest report reveals that Europe’s fintechs remain heavily dependent on US investors for later‑stage financing, with all rounds above €1 bn in the past five years led by US capital. Without that support, a €9 bn funding gap would emerge,...
Norwegian Jets Shadow Russian Coot-A Spy Plane
Norwegian Air Force F‑35 fighters intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il‑20M “Coot‑A” reconnaissance plane flying in international airspace off Finnmark on two consecutive days. The missions occurred while NATO conducted its Cold Response 2026 exercise, prompting Quick Reaction Alert sorties from Evenes...
ETS Prices Defy Rise in Gas Prices as Middle East Conflict Continues
European carbon allowances (EUAs) stayed flat around €70 despite a sharp 40‑70% rise in Dutch TTF gas futures triggered by the Middle‑East conflict. Gas prices jumped from €31 to over €45 in early March, normally prompting coal‑fuel switching and higher...
Liza Tarbuck Leaves Radio 2 Saturday Show After 14 Years
BBC Radio 2 presenter Liza Tarbuck announced she is leaving her Saturday evening show after a 14‑year run, posting a heartfelt farewell on Instagram. Shaun Keaveny will temporarily fill the slot until the end of March, while the station highlighted Tarbuck’s desire...
Exotec and Komar Launch ‘Next-Generation’ Automated Fulfilment Centre in Savannah
Exotec is deploying its Skypod robotic system at Komar Distribution Services' 760,000‑square‑foot Savannah fulfillment centre. The modular solution promises up to 50% higher throughput and 30% greater storage density while handling both case and single‑item picking. Full automation is slated...
A Red Brick‐Derived Fe2P‐Based Cocatalyst Sheet Enables Monolithic Photocatalysts for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production
Researchers have converted common red brick into a Fe2P‑based cocatalyst sheet that serves as a scaffold for semiconductor particles, creating monolithic photocatalysts for solar water splitting. The CdS‑Fe2P/RB monolith delivers a visible‑light hydrogen evolution rate of 7.7 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and an apparent...
A Balloon Electrochemical Sensor for Conformal Interfacing With Intestinal Wall and Real‐Time Monitoring of Serotonin Release
Researchers have created a balloon‑shaped electrochemical sensor using gold nanotubes that expands to conform to the soft curvature of the intestinal lumen. The device is inserted endoluminally, inflates to mimic physiological distension, and records real‑time serotonin (5‑HT) release from the...
Iron Incorporation‐Induced Phosphorus Vacancies in MoP: A Dual‐Functional Strategy Toward Efficient Solar Driven Hydrogen Production
Researchers introduced iron atoms into molybdenum phosphide (MoP) to generate phosphorus vacancies, forming a dual‑functional catalyst for solar‑driven hydrogen production. The Fe substitution replaces Mo sites, creating electron‑trapping vacancies while Mo atoms serve as hole traps, markedly improving charge separation....
Contributor: Don't Let Lobbyists Win a Liability Shield for Big Oil
State and local governments across the U.S. are filing climate lawsuits against major oil majors, seeking compensation for billions in damage caused by fossil‑fuel emissions. The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear Exxon Mobil’s petition to block a Colorado wildfire...
PERILS Finalises Industry Loss Estimate for Cyclone Alfred at Almost AU $1.88bn
Catastrophe data firm PERILS released its final industry loss estimate for Cyclone Alfred at AU $1.877 billion, making it the costliest insured Australian cyclone since 2017. The figure represents a steep decline from the initial $2.568 billion estimate, after successive adjustments of 12%,...
India Launches Tender for 1 GW Round-the-Clock Renewable Power
Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) has opened a tender for 1 GW of round‑the‑clock renewable power projects, mandating integrated energy‑storage systems. The projects will follow a build‑own‑operate (BOO) model and attract 25‑year power purchase agreements with Indian distribution companies. Bidders...
Homeownership Accelerates Generational Wealth
Homeownership timing has become a critical driver of wealth in the United States, with the median age of first‑time buyers climbing from 30 in 1990 to 40 in 2025 due to soaring prices and longer savings horizons. Data from the...
The $11 Billion Cost for One Week of War, and a New ‘Millionaires’ Tax’
Pentagon officials disclosed that the first six days of the Iraq war have already cost more than $11.3 billion, driven largely by high‑priced munitions. The conflict has pushed global oil prices above $100 a barrel, even after a coalition released record...
Israel and the US Are Fighting Iran Together. Are They on the Same Page Though? | Yousef Munayyer
The United States and Israel have entered their first fully coordinated joint war against Iran, now in its third week. While Washington frames the conflict as a response to Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions, Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian oil infrastructure,...
Long-Term Neurodevelopment Effects of Antenatal COVID-19
A new longitudinal study finds that children born to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy exhibit measurable neurodevelopmental deficits. Brain scans at two years reveal reduced cortical thickness and lower IQ scores compared with unexposed peers. The research, spanning over...
How Create Music Group Strikes the Right Note by Placing Data at the Heart of the Music-Streaming Process
Create Music Group has adopted Astronomer’s managed Apache Airflow service to orchestrate more than 600 data pipelines that feed real‑time streaming and revenue analytics. The switch from legacy cron jobs and Cloud Composer to Astro has accelerated pipeline development by...
War in Middle East May Press Pause on Bank Deal Boom
Bank merger‑and‑acquisition activity surged in 2025, but the war in Iran has introduced sharp stock‑price volatility that threatens to stall the consolidation wave. Falling bank‑stock values erode the equity currency traditionally used to fund deals, pushing pricing down and making...
The Hidden Risks Behind Retail's AI Shopping Boom
AI shopping assistants drove $67 billion in Cyber Week 2025 sales, representing one in five digital purchases. However, 82 % of AI failures are hallucinations—confidently wrong answers that erode trust. Traditional QA misses these errors because it tests ideal scenarios, not real‑world shopper...
Ford Campaign Shows Brands Testing Longer Streaming Ads
Ford is testing a micro‑docuseries on Apple TV that tells a multi‑episode story about its return to Formula One, using streaming ad slots instead of traditional 30‑second spots. The campaign places each short episode alongside race‑weekend coverage, highlighting engineers and power‑unit development....
The Limits of Iran’s Proxy Empire
After the United States and Israel assassinated Iran’s supreme leader, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al‑Houthi publicly vowed solidarity and readiness to support Tehran, yet the group has remained largely absent from the ensuing conflict. Iran’s other proxies, including Hezbollah and Iraqi...
Loans Were Never Going To Save Detroit’s Houses
Detroit faces a massive housing crisis, with nearly 40,000 occupied homes suffering roof leaks, faulty utilities, and structural decay. Researchers estimate roughly $1 billion is required to bring all dwellings up to basic safety standards, yet public grant programs fall far...
Meet the Drilling Entrepreneur Unlocking Geothermal Power for Google
Fervo Energy is commercialising enhanced geothermal systems that use horizontal drilling and rock fracturing to access heat reservoirs up to 12,000 feet deep. The startup has cut per‑foot drilling costs by more than 70 percent, reaching $400 per foot, and projects electricity...
Brutal Times for the US Battery Industry
The U.S. battery sector, once a hotbed of startups and lofty valuations, is now facing a wave of closures, highlighted by 24M Technologies’ liquidation after a peak valuation above $1 billion. 24M’s cost‑saving electrode‑on‑metal process and high‑energy‑density cells promised a 1,000‑mile...
Former CFPB Counsel: Agency Is Doing More than You Think
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, under Acting Director Russell Vought, continues to issue regulatory guidance and defend select legacy rules despite a near‑absence of formal examinations or investigations. Former CFPB senior counsel Richard Horn notes that the agency’s Regulation Office...
New Simulation Platform Lets Energy Operators Train Against Realistic Cyberattacks
German Fraunhofer FKIE researchers unveiled PowerRange, a virtual cyber‑range that lets power‑grid operators test defenses against realistic attacks. The platform models both traditional centralized networks and renewable‑heavy, decentralized grids, integrating IT, OT and control‑room environments. It supports multi‑stage scenarios—reconnaissance, lateral...
U.S. Navy Awards $19.5M Contract for Zumwalt Support
The U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a $19.5 million contract modification to provide engineering and technical support for the Zumwalt‑class destroyers through March 2027. The work, performed mainly at Bath Iron Works in Maine, continues the shipyard’s role as...