Andover Companies Aims to Upsize New Locke Tavern Re Cat Bond to as Much as $300m
Andover Companies, a long‑standing mutual insurer in the Northeast, is seeking to upsize its upcoming Locke Tavern Re cat‑bond to between $250 million and $300 million. The new Series 2026‑1 issuance will feature two tranches—Class A and Class B—each expanded to $125‑150 million, with price guidance set at the low end of the original range (3.25% and 4.25% respectively). The fully‑collateralized, multi‑peril bond provides indemnity‑triggered protection for storms, severe thunderstorms, winter events and earthquakes across eight Northeastern states. The pricing reflects a softer catastrophe‑bond market compared with Andover’s 2023 issuance.
Global Air Cylinder Wheels Ready to Go Commercial with Air Suspension Wheel
Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW) announced that its patented Air Suspension Wheel (ASW) has cleared extreme‑cold field trials in Minnesota, proving performance at temperatures down to –40 °C under full haul‑truck loads. The non‑pneumatic, steel‑based wheel demonstrated reliable suspension, tread, and...
Data of the Week: Only One Major Port in Northwestern Europe Capitalised on Container Growth
Northwestern Europe’s key ports—Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg—are shifting from bulk cargo to containers, with a 19 % drop in liquid bulk at Antwerp in 2025. Container traffic is the only growth segment, led by Hamburg’s 7.3 % increase, while Rotterdam grew 3.1 %...
Nokia Expands Network as Code Ecosystem; Advances API-Based Agentic AI with Google Cloud Partnership
Nokia announced an expanded Network as Code ecosystem at Mobile World Congress, now encompassing over 75 global partners including major operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone. The initiative provides secure API access that streamlines complex network functions and...
Telcos Rebrand as Cloud Providers During MWC
At Mobile World Congress, global telcos announced a strategic shift to brand themselves as AI, cloud, and edge service providers, directly targeting enterprise and public‑sector customers. They are leveraging partnerships with hyperscalers to embed telco workloads into existing cloud platforms,...
Four More UK-Made ROVs to Join DOF’s Fleet
DOF Group has placed an order for four XLX EVO III work‑class remotely operated vehicles from the UK‑based Forum Energy Technologies. Deliveries are slated for April, June, July and August 2026, with the first two units mobilised in Singapore. The ROVs...
Du Maintains Full Operations, Robust Liquidity, and Strategic Momentum
du confirmed uninterrupted network operations across mobile, fixed and enterprise services, serving 9.7 million mobile and 735,000 fixed customers. The telecom operator reported AED 4.2 billion of available liquidity and a board‑approved dividend of 64 fils per share for 2025. CEO...
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF Q4 2025 Commentary
The Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF posted a 4.91% decline in Q4 2025, underperforming both the S&P 500 and the S&P Utilities Index. While the broader utility sector modestly lagged the broader market, the fund’s top contributors—DTE Energy, Duke Energy, WEC...
U.S. Air Force Signs $1.9B C-130J Simulator Support Deal
The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.9 billion contract for the C‑130J Maintenance and Training System IV (JMATS IV). The deal covers production, modernization, sustainment, and support of high‑fidelity aircrew and maintenance simulators. The program will service training devices across dozens...
Olympian Gains Gateway 2 Approval for 46-Storey Canary Wharf Co-Living Brand Debut
Olympian Homes received gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator for its 46‑storey Vivus Living co‑living tower at Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf. The development will contain 833 studio units, hotel‑style services, and aims to raise £280 million in debt and equity, with...
Storm Fagan Named BBC Chief Technology and Product Officer
The BBC has appointed Storm Fagan as its chief technology and product officer, tasking her with leading the newly created BBC Media Tech division. The unit will consolidate product and technology teams from the broadcaster and BBC Studios into a...
Sandvik Unveils New CH442 and CH662 Cone Crushers at CONEXPO
Sandvik Crushing Solutions unveiled the CH442 and CH662 cone crushers at CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026, marking the next evolution of its CH400 and CH600 series. The models feature a strengthened top shell, new main shaft, and a backing‑compound free liner design that...
Navigating Uncertainty and Building Resilient Supply Chains: The Case for US-Based CDMO Partnerships
Pharmaceutical firms are accelerating onshoring efforts, with more than $270 billion pledged for U.S. manufacturing since early 2025 and 80% of global producers weighing domestic or near‑shore options. Legislative moves such as the BIOSECURE Act and incentives like BARDA Project NextGen are...
RWE Installs First Turbine at 1.1GW Thor
RWE has installed the first turbine at the 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm off Denmark’s west coast. The project will host 72 Siemens Gamesa 15 MW turbines, each with a 148‑metre hub height and 115‑metre rotor blades, slated for completion by the...
How Can Retailers Use Micro-Influencers?
Retailers such as Disney Store, ASOS, Zara and others are shifting to micro‑influencers for campaigns. These creators have modest followings but are deeply embedded in niche communities, delivering higher engagement and authentic storytelling. Agencies like Coolr and Iris note that...
Fake Laravel Packages on Packagist Deploy RAT on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Cybersecurity researchers discovered three malicious Laravel packages on Packagist—nhattuanbl/lara-helper, simple-queue, and lara-swagger—that install a cross‑platform remote access trojan (RAT) on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The RAT connects to a C2 server at helper.leuleu.net, gathers system data, and executes commands via...
London E-Scooter Trips Show Strong Growth, TfL Reveals
Transport for London released data showing its e‑scooter rental trial surged 54% in a year, pushing total trips above two million. The scheme now operates from more than 1,600 designated bays across 11 boroughs, with 95% of rides ending in...
Anthropic AI Ultimatums and IP Theft: The Unspoken Risk
Anthropic’s Claude AI is caught between a massive Chinese extraction campaign and a U.S. government ban that forces the model out of federal systems. China‑based firms generated over 16 million interactions to map Claude’s reasoning, tool use and coding abilities, while...
UK Businesses Are Starting to Choose Stability over Price – and Reshaping the Energy Market
UK businesses are moving away from the traditional race‑to‑the‑bottom energy procurement model, opting for price stability and transparency instead of the lowest rates. Recent surveys show 23% of firms have reduced operations because of volatile electricity costs, while 40% of...
Ukraine Strikes Russian Chemical Plant in Kirov Region
Ukrainian long‑range drones struck the Kirovo‑Chepetsk Chemical Combine in Russia’s Kirov region, targeting its ammonia production unit more than 1,300 km from the Ukrainian border. Local reports confirmed several kamikaze drones hit the plant, causing worker casualties, though exact numbers remain...
ARIA Sensing and Algorized Partner on AI UWB Radar
ARIA Sensing has partnered with Algorized to launch an AI‑driven ultra‑wideband radar platform, beginning with an in‑cabin child presence detection system for automotive OEMs and Tier‑1 suppliers. The solution merges ARIA’s HYDROGEN 4×4 UWB radar SoC—featuring 3‑D sensing, digital beamforming...
Axis Bank Ties up with Tesla as Preferred EV Financier in India
Axis Bank announced it will serve as Tesla's preferred financing partner in India, becoming the first lender to provide loan tenures up to 10 years for premium electric vehicles. The partnership will roll out across major metros and emerging EV...
5 Ways Leaders Lose the Room without Realizing It
Leaders often mistake a polished slide deck for effective communication, leaving the room disengaged and ideas unabsorbed. The article highlights how the illusion of alignment can cause meetings to feel empty, even when time and resources are invested. It outlines...
SRT Signs $261M Deal for Maritime Surveillance System
UK‑based SRT Marine Systems has signed a $261 million contract with a sovereign government to deliver a national Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system. The solution will fuse coastal sensors, vessel‑tracking, radar and satellite feeds into a single operational picture for security,...
Vortex Metals Starts Phase Two Work at Illapel Project, Chile
Vortex Metals has launched phase‑two exploration at its Illapel copper‑silver project in Chile, expanding work across the full 180 km² concession. The program features a 2,000‑line‑kilometre airborne geophysical survey employing magnetics, very‑low‑frequency electromagnetics (VLF‑EM) and radiometrics to map structures and pinpoint...
Handball-Bundesliga Selects Dyn Media to Upgrade International Streaming Service
The Handball-Bundesliga has appointed Dyn Media to take over the technical development of its international streaming service, HBL TV, starting summer 2026. The league’s OTT platform, already available in over 80 countries, will expand to more than 100 markets where...
Russia Likely Downed Its Own Military Helicopter
Russian air defenses likely shot down their own Ka‑52 attack helicopter near Millerovo on March 3 while intercepting a massive Ukrainian drone swarm. The helicopter was reportedly misidentified as a hostile UAV, resulting in crew casualties that remain unconfirmed. Russian officials...
UECC Orders Multi-Fuel Battery Hybrid PCTC Pair
European shipowner UECC ordered two 3,000‑ceu multi‑fuel battery hybrid PCTCs from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. The vessels combine LNG engines, battery storage, and an aerodynamically optimised hull to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and include shore‑power and real‑time emissions monitoring....
MARS Coalition Advocates for Data-Driven Road Safety in the US
The Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) Coalition is urging Congress to modernise federal road safety programs by adopting AI, telematics and predictive analytics. These technologies allow agencies to spot crash risks before they materialise, moving from reactive to preventive...
Komatsu Introduces Next-Gen HM460-6 Articulated Haul Truck at CONEXPO 2026
Komatsu unveiled the HM460-6 articulated haul truck at CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026, targeting quarry, construction and mining sites with challenging terrain. The new model raises the rated payload to 46.3 tons and incorporates a proprietary DBA127 engine delivering 518 hp with improved fuel efficiency....
HII Lays Keel for US Navy’s LPD USS Philadelphia
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding authenticated the keel for USS Philadelphia (LPD‑32), a Flight II San Antonio‑class amphibious transport dock, marking the vessel’s official start of construction. The ceremony featured welder Cory Dillon etching the sponsor’s initials onto a steel plate, a naval tradition. Philadelphia...
Hyundai Mobis Showcases Next-Gen Systems at Its Winter Testing Ground
Hyundai Mobis is hosting a ten‑day technology showcase at its Arjeplog, Sweden winter testing ground, marking the site’s 20th anniversary. More than 100 engineers and purchasing managers from ten European and North American customers will evaluate demo vehicles equipped with upcoming...
Scary Shawarma Kiosk The Anomaly Inspector Guide
Roblox’s horror‑simulation title Scary Shawarma Kiosk introduces a new antagonist called The Inspector, triggered when players serve anomalous customers, refuse service, or encounter hazards. If The Inspector fully rises, players lose access to the perfect ending and face a punitive...
Games Growth Summit Announces First Speakers for 6th Annual Event – 4th June
The Games Growth Summit returns for its sixth edition on 4 June at RSM Global in London, unveiling its first speakers. Omdia senior analysts George Jijiashvili and Liam Deane will explore AI, content saturation, and market dynamics in a data‑driven session....
Khamenei’s Killing Is Neocolonialism’s Final Gambit
The United States and Israel carried out a drone strike that killed Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a rare state‑sanctioned assassination of a foreign head of state. The attack, framed as a response to Iran’s nuclear program, instead...
Minor Hotels Announces Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Strengthening Avani’s Footprint in Laos
Minor Hotels announced the upcoming launch of Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane, a design‑focused premium lifestyle hotel slated for opening in the second quarter of 2026. The 197‑room property, located on Fa Ngum Road near Wattay International Airport, will be the chain’s...
FEATURE ARTICLE: Comminution & Crushing
The March 2026 feature article spotlights new comminution and crushing technologies aimed at slashing emissions in mineral processing. It highlights AI‑driven optimization, hybrid electric crusher drives, and advanced wear‑resistant components as key levers for energy reduction. The piece also notes...
Digest: Meta Trials AI Shopping Tool; Google to Fill 150 Tech Roles in Singapore; eBay Cuts 800 Jobs
Meta Platforms is piloting an AI‑powered shopping assistant within its Meta AI chatbot, offering product recommendations with images, pricing and merchant links. The tool, currently limited to select U.S. users, tailors suggestions using location and inferred gender data but does not...
Only 3% of Compliance Professionals Say Their Organisation Is Fully Prepared for AI Regulation
A VinciWorks survey of 230 compliance, legal and IT professionals reveals that only 3.5% of organisations feel fully prepared for the emerging AI regulatory regime. More than three‑quarters lack effective AI‑specific training, and 63% cannot describe their current preparedness. GDPR...
Polish Prime Minister Confirms Talks with France on Nuclear Deterrence
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed ongoing talks with France about an "advanced nuclear deterrence" system, part of a French‑led initiative that already includes seven other European states. The proposal aims to create a shared nuclear umbrella, allowing participants to...
WPP Media Hires Global Client President From Publicis
WPP Media announced the appointment of a former Publicis global client president, who will begin her role on 17 March. The executive brings extensive experience managing multinational advertising accounts and overseeing integrated media strategies. Her arrival bolsters WPP's leadership team...
Cat Bond Issuance Price Pressure Flattens Market Yield, Widening Less Pronounced: Plenum
Catastrophe‑bond yields stayed flat in February 2026, ending at 8.91% versus 8.87% in January. Primary issuances were priced roughly 30% lower than recent historical levels, generating price pressure that muted the expected seasonal spread widening after the hurricane season. Strong...
Tired of Roaming Charges? Here’s How eSIMS Work
Travelers and business users are increasingly frustrated by high roaming fees, prompting a shift toward embedded SIM (eSIM) technology. eSIMs store multiple carrier profiles digitally, allowing users to activate local data plans without swapping physical cards. Major carriers across Europe,...
Tactical Will to Fight Assessment Guide
The Defense Analysis Community has released a Tactical Will to Fight (W2F) Assessment Guide, a structured analytic tool aimed at improving tactical‑level evaluations of adversary, partner, or friendly force morale. The package includes a PDF guide, an Excel workbook, and...
Hua Medicine Announces the Approval of Dorzagliatin for Marketing in Hong Kong SAR, China
Hua Medicine announced that its glucokinase activator dorzagliatin, marketed as MYHOMSIS®, received marketing approval from Hong Kong’s Department of Health under the “1+” regulatory pathway. The drug, the world’s first‑in‑class GKA, targets the root cause of glucose dysregulation in Type 2 diabetes...
Australia’s ACT Government Completes Its First Community Battery Network with New 450kWh System
The Australian Capital Territory has finished its first community‑battery network with the commissioning of a 450 kWh system in Dickson. The new battery joins earlier 225 kWh and 450 kWh installations in Casey and Fadden, bringing the territory’s total storage capacity to 1,125 kWh...
Lidl Owner Schwarz Completes Acquisition in Romania
Schwarz Group, the parent of Lidl and Kaufland, received approval from Romanian competition authorities to acquire a majority stake in La Cocoș, a retailer operating large hypercash stores. The deal cements Schwarz’s market‑leadership position in Romania, where Ahold Delhaize currently ranks second....
AI-Music Artists Get Their Own Accelerator From Prose Ventures
Prose Ventures has launched the AI Music Creators Accelerator, an eight‑week program that supports human musicians using generative AI tools. The inaugural cohort presented a diverse demo day on February 27, streamed publicly on Twitch and later on YouTube. Founder...
Airtel’s SmartCash Hits 3 Million Users in Nigeria’s Mobile Money Push
SmartCash, Airtel Nigeria's payment service bank, reached nearly three million active users, defined by transactions in the past 30 days. The platform offers zero‑fee transfers, bill payments and a 15% annual interest on savings, positioning it against fintech rivals OPay...
Create Music Group Scores $450 Million Raise at $2.2 Billion Valuation
Create Music Group announced a $450 million financing round that lifts its valuation to $2.2 billion. The capital structure blends debt and equity, while the founding team retains majority ownership. Minority investors include Ares Management, Flexpoint Ford and 2 Mile Capital. The raise follows...