'I Did Not Call Myself a Dictator:' Credit-Union CEO
California Coast Credit Union CEO Todd Lane is embroiled in a rare, combative merger dispute with San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU). After SDCCU attempted to renegotiate the April 2025 deal and install its own CEO, Cal Coast sued, alleging breach of the original agreement. The conflict features accusations of a lax compliance culture, a Spanish‑language marketing risk, and alleged dictatorial remarks by Lane. A judge’s ruling and NCUA approval are pending, determining whether the $12.7 billion combined entity will proceed.
The ‘Nail Test’: Why This $54 Billion Innovation Is Terrifying Western Auto Executives
BYD demonstrated its second‑generation Blade battery surviving a six‑inch nail puncture without entering thermal runaway, contrasting sharply with a conventional NCM cell that erupted into a 500 °C fire. The dramatic nail test, staged for European industrial executives, highlighted the Blade’s...
Ex-NFL Player Convicted in $328M Genetic Testing Fraud as Medicare Scrutiny Intensifies
A Dallas federal jury convicted former NFL player Keith J. Gray of orchestrating a $328 million Medicare fraud scheme that billed for unnecessary cardiovascular genetic tests. Gray, who owned Axis Professional Labs and Kingdom Health Laboratory, was found guilty of conspiracy,...
Maha to Acquire Stake in Venezuela's PetroUrdaneta
Swedish investment firm Maha Capital AB announced it will acquire an indirect 24% stake in Venezuela’s PetroUrdaneta, a joint venture operating Maracaibo basin fields. The acquisition follows the U.S. Treasury’s issuance of General License 52, which relaxes sanctions on certain...
Japanese City Taps Fujitsu for Public Transport Planning
Maebashi city selected Fujitsu's new traffic simulation system to design a regional public transport plan, aiming to optimise bus routes amid demographic shifts and driver shortages. The system, built for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, can model...
How to Disarm Mines During Locked Gate in ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders' Locked Gate event now includes a live mine‑disarm challenge introduced in the Week 21 trials of the Shrouded Skies update. Players must locate mines at four key POIs on the Blue Gate map, crouch, and interact to defuse them,...
Nintendo Reportedly Planning Revised Switch 2 Model with Replaceable Battery in EU
Jest, the first marketplace for SMS and RCS messaging apps, has launched the Jest Games Fund to back studios creating games for the RCS messaging ecosystem. The program offers three funding tiers—$40,000 Explore, up to $200,000 Scale, and up to...
Open Banking Is Growing in South Africa – but Not for Everyone
South Africa’s open‑banking ecosystem is expanding, driven by a market‑led approach that has enabled fintechs such as Yoco, Lulalend and MTN MoMo to reach new customers. A Reserve Bank working paper warns that this model favours middle‑aged, educated users and leaves...
Discovery Bank Drives Super App Ambition with AI, Integration
Discovery Bank is transforming its mobile platform into a "super app" that merges banking with health, insurance, investment and lifestyle services across the Discovery Group. AI underpins the experience, delivering a virtual financial assistant, real‑time fraud alerts and personalised nudges...
TAT Bets on Domestic Travel Boom with Thailand Tourism Festival 2026
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will host the 44th Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) from March 25‑29, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. The event will feature nine themed zones that showcase cultural, culinary and creative...
Iran War Pushes up Miners’ Diesel Costs
The Iran‑Israel conflict has nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending Singapore diesel swaps soaring to about $180 a barrel—almost double pre‑conflict levels. Fortescue Metals Group, the world’s fourth‑largest iron‑ore producer, said a 10‑cent diesel price shift translates to $70 million...
Datagrid Signs Power Supply Deal with Mercury for Planned 280MW Data Center Campus in Invercargill, New Zealand
Datagrid New Zealand has secured a 15‑year, 140 MW power purchase agreement with Mercury to fuel the first phase of its 280 MW AI‑focused data‑center campus in Invercargill. The deal guarantees roughly 1.2 TWh of renewable electricity annually, providing price certainty and a low‑carbon...
Atomberg Targets 50,000 Retail Outlets, Pushes New Categories Offline as BLDC Growth Continues
Atomberg Technologies aims to expand its offline footprint to 50,000‑60,000 retail outlets, up from the current 30,000‑40,000, with a particular push into North and East India. FY 2025 saw operating revenue rise 20% to roughly ₹958 crore (about $115 million) and net loss...
How Channel Surfer Turns YouTube Into a Classic Linear TV Experience
London developer Steven Irby launched ChannelSurfer.tv, a web‑based electronic programme guide that repackages YouTube feeds into a classic linear TV experience. The static Next.js site runs on Cloudflare, uses PartyKit and daily GitHub Actions to refresh a curated list of...
When Tiny Magnets Attack PV Systems
Cybersecurity researcher Mohammad Al Faruque demonstrated that low‑cost magnetic, electrical and acoustic perturbations can manipulate current and voltage sensors in photovoltaic inverters without physical access. Using a $45 kit of Arduino, MOSFETs, Zigbee and an ultrasonic sensor, his team generated controllable...
‘Wowzers’ Asda Goes Big for Easter with New Campaign
Asda has launched a new Easter campaign built around its revived “That’s Asda Price” platform, featuring two 20‑second films produced by Lucky Generals. The ads, titled “Easter Bonnet” and “Eggcited you’re here,” portray families creating elaborate celebrations while emphasizing the...
TS Lines Expands Boxship Orderbook with $168m Mawei Deal
Taiwanese carrier TS Lines has placed a $168.6 million order for four 2,900 TEU containerships from Fujian Mawei Shipyard, with delivery expected by May 2029. The contract brings the total number of 2,900 TEU vessels ordered from Mawei to six, adding to a pair...
Extra Says ‘Why Not?’ To WYE with New Long-Term Leases, Advised by Savills
Extra Motorway Service Areas has renewed its partnership with kiosk retailer WYE by signing a series of 15‑year leases covering existing sites such as Baldock, Leeds, Cambridge, Peterborough, Cobham and Beaconsfield, plus a new unit at Blackburn. The agreements combine...
Analysis: HBO Max Is Most Widely Bundled Streaming Service
Ampere Analysis reports that HBO Max holds the largest bundling footprint among streaming services in 20 major markets, partnering with 60 unique providers and appearing in 303 packages. The service’s bundling strength is especially pronounced in Central and South America...
The More Nigerians Stream, the Less Their Favourite Artists Earn From Spotify
Nigerian artists have earned over ₦143 billion ($105 million) from Spotify since 2023, reaching ₦60 billion in 2025. While total revenue rose sharply in 2024, growth stalled to just 3.45% year‑over‑year in 2025 as streams shifted toward the domestic market. Local consumption jumped...
MAC Cosmetics to Combine ‘Social Discovery with In-Store Retail’ via TikTok Shop UK Debut
MAC Cosmetics, owned by Estée Lauder, will debut on TikTok Shop UK next month, turning its London store on Carnaby Street into a live‑broadcast studio. The brand will stream tutorials, product drops and interactive sessions hosted by in‑store makeup artists,...
Zocks Targets Life Insurers with AI Workflow Automation
Zocks, an AI assistant originally built for financial advisors, is extending its workflow automation platform into the life‑insurance sector. The tool captures data during discovery meetings, auto‑generates notes, applications and fact‑finds, and processes PDFs, scans and photos in under a...
Chinese Consumers Can Now Use the Qwen App to Hail Rides and Pay with Alipay AI Pay
Alibaba’s Qwen app now lets Chinese users hail rides and pay through Alipay AI Pay, creating a single‑conversation commerce flow. The integration ties Qwen to ride‑hailing, food delivery and travel services, allowing price comparison, booking and payment without leaving the...
Hilton London Paddington Embarks on Heritage-Led Renovation
Hilton London Paddington, celebrating 173 years, has unveiled a multi‑million‑pound (≈$12.5 million) refurbishment of its guest rooms, ballrooms and public areas. The first phase, focusing on the historic left wing, will debut in spring 2026, blending Victorian architecture with Art Deco flair while...
Swiss Beauty Launches FRIENDS Themed Makeup with Warner Bros.
Swiss Beauty has teamed with Warner Bros. Discovery to launch a limited‑edition FRIENDS‑themed CRAZE makeup line in India. The collection spans skincare, colour cosmetics and press‑on nails, with prices from roughly $2 for remover wipes to $6 for nail sets....
CMA Dithers on Cloud Probe as Microsoft's Meter Runs on Taxpayer Dime
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has repeatedly postponed a ruling on its public‑cloud market investigation, allowing existing Crown Commercial Service contracts with Microsoft to continue unchecked. As a result, public‑sector bodies remain tied to costly, long‑term licences that...
The Oil Prices You See Do Not Tell Market's Real Story
Three weeks into the Iran‑Israel war, Brent futures have jumped about 50 % to roughly $110 a barrel, yet physical oil prices are rising even faster as supplies tighten. Spot benchmarks such as Oman ($162) and Murban ($145) are soaring, and...
RERC Issues Draft Power Purchase Rules Ahead of 3,200 MW Plan Hearing
Rajasthan's electricity regulator, RERC, released draft resource‑adequacy rules to replace a 2004 framework and guide a pending 3,200 MW procurement hearing. The proposals arrive amid conflicting forecasts: the Central Electricity Authority sees no extra thermal capacity needed by 2035‑36, while the...
Azerion Promotes ‘Leading DOOH Specialist’ Rebecca Callaghan to Head of Out-of-Home
Azerion has created a new Head of Out‑of‑Home role and promoted Rebecca Callaghan, a recognized DOOH specialist, to lead it. Callaghan brings more than a decade of experience across traditional and programmatic OOH, including prior stints at Yahoo, JCDecaux and...
Ikea Restaurants Are Getting Digital Kiosks
After successful pilots in Spain and Portugal, IKEA has introduced digital ordering kiosks at its Liège, Belgium restaurant. The self‑service system lets customers order and pay via touchscreens, with an app option coming soon, while preserving traditional counter service. Early...
Class 6 Vs. Class 8 Semi Trucks: What Are The Differences Between Them?
Class 6 and Class 8 trucks are differentiated primarily by gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with Class 6 covering 19,501–26,000 lb and Class 8 covering 33,001 lb and above. The higher GVWR of Class 8 vehicles brings additional axles, tires, and more stringent regulatory requirements. Both classes...
Malaysia Eyes New Energy Sources as Oil Prices Rise Amid Middle East Conflict: DPM Fadillah
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said Petronas is preparing contingency plans to source oil and gas from Australia and other Asia‑Pacific nations as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed due to the Middle East conflict. The closure has pushed...
Poland Signs Apache Support Deal with Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has signed $81 million agreements with Poland’s WZL‑1 facility to maintain and test fire‑control radars and optoelectronic systems on the AH‑64E Apache helicopters. The support contracts are part of Poland’s $10.8 billion Apache acquisition program, which includes 96 helicopters and...
Olympio Lands Best-Ever Gold Hit in Quebec
Olympio Metals announced its best‑ever gold intercept at the Paquin prospect of the Bousquet project in Quebec, reporting a 7.5‑metre interval grading 41.81 g/t gold from 182 metres depth. The result comes from phase‑two drilling, which completed seven holes totaling 1,639 metres and...
Business Entities Outline Risks Middle East Conflict Poses for South Africa
The escalation of the Middle East conflict is expected to ripple through the global economy, pressuring South Africa’s fuel costs, inflation and exchange rates. Business Leadership South Africa’s CEO Busi Mavuso warns that higher diesel prices will strain the mining...
APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas Starts Phase III Expansion
APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas has commissioned its $140 million Phase II expansion, boosting the terminal’s operational area to 65 hectares and capacity to roughly 2 million TEU. The company immediately began Phase III construction, part of a $350 million investment program, to add 450 metres of quay...
Cementation Africa to Equip Mindola Shaft for the Future of Nkana Mine
Cementation Africa is upgrading Mopani Copper Mines' Mindola shaft in Zambia to extend the life of the Nkana mine. The project involves installing a permanent headgear, new winders, and an overland conveyor, followed by a 3D scan to correct shaft...
HSB Targets AI Exposure with New Liability Cover
HSB, a Munich Re subsidiary, introduced an AI liability insurance product aimed at small and medium‑sized enterprises. The policy bridges gaps in conventional general liability coverage by protecting against bodily injury, property damage, and personal or advertising injury arising from...
Santander’s Getnet Expands to Colombia, Strengthening Its Latin American Payments Network
Santander’s payments arm Getnet has launched its digital payments platform in Colombia, extending its pan‑Latin American network. The service offers a unified API‑based Single Entry Point that lets merchants connect once and operate across multiple markets, while also providing banking,...
Electricity Networks Set Path for Low-Carbon Century
UK electricity network operators will invest over £120bn by 2050 to modernise the grid and enable low‑carbon power for homes and businesses. The plan targets a 47% reduction in overall energy demand through smarter, more efficient networks. Existing reliability already...
AAT Achieves IATA IEnvA Certification, Advancing Sustainable Cargo Operations
Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT), a SATS Ltd subsidiary, secured the International Air Transport Association’s IEnvA certification, confirming its robust sustainability framework. The terminal reported a 33% reduction in emissions from a 2018 baseline, driven by energy‑efficient upgrades, fleet electrification, autonomous...
EcoCeres Secures Landmark SAF Supply Agreement in China
EcoCeres Inc. has launched a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pilot program in China, dubbed “Project Spark,” partnering with CASRI, CNAF, China Southern Airlines, Air China Cargo, Sichuan Airlines and Huarong Chemical. The pilot used SAF produced at EcoCeres’ Zhangjiagang plant,...
Japan to Build Drone-Based Coastal Defense System
Japan’s Defense Ministry has earmarked roughly ¥100 billion ($629 million) to launch the SHIELD program, a drone‑centric coastal defense network slated for deployment by fiscal 2027. The system will field thousands of autonomous drones across more than ten variants for surveillance, strike...
Movistar’s Anti-Piracy Measures Blocking Legit Streams
Spain’s anti‑piracy crackdown, led by LaLiga, relies on IP‑blocking to stop illegal football streams. Movistar’s implementation on March 22 blocked about 145 IP addresses, including those of major cloud providers, causing widespread service outages that persisted into the following morning. The...
Microdramas Clock $300 Mn Revenue in a Year; RMG Users Shift to Offshore Betting Apps
India’s interactive media market, now worth $13.8 billion, is being reshaped by microdramas, which generated $300 million in revenue, 450 million downloads and 100 million monthly active users in their first year. The format is projected to expand to a $4.5 billion market by 2030,...
Airbus Strengthens Cyber Capabilities with Ultra Cyber Acquisition
Airbus has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ultra Cyber Ltd, adding over 200 cyber specialists and a UK‑based centre of excellence to its portfolio. The deal bolsters Airbus Defence and Space’s Connected Intelligence unit and deepens its sovereign cyber...
Just Taps Sapiens to Modernise Retirement Operations
UK‑based financial services group Just has chosen Sapiens to power a new end‑to‑end life and pensions platform. The deployment will use Sapiens CoreSuite, DigitalSuite and DataSuite to boost scalability, integration speed and product‑to‑market timelines. The solution targets complex retirement products...
JMSDF Launches ‘Fleet Surface Force’, Scrapping Decades-Old ‘Escort Fleet’
On March 23 the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force dissolved its six‑decade‑old Fleet Escort Force and created a new Fleet Surface Force that unifies surface combatants and mine‑countermeasure units under one command. The restructure consolidates four escort flotillas into three Surface...
Vocento Unlocks Advertising Inventory Value with Opti Digital Demand Hub
Vocento, Spain's leading regional press group, partnered with ad‑tech firm Opti Digital to deploy its Demand Hub solution. The platform adds an AI‑driven, attention‑based demand layer that serves high‑impact social display ads only when they enter the user’s viewport. This...
Bridges Air Cargo Begins Regular E190F Operations
Bridges Air Cargo has launched regular operations with a converted Embraer E190F freighter, linking Rome Fiumicino, Malta International and Mitiga Airport in Libya. The aircraft, registered 9H‑BRD and leased from Regional One, completed its first commercial flight earlier this month. Bridges, a Malta‑based...