Philippine Vehicle Sales Fall 8% in February
New vehicle registrations in the Philippines dropped 8% in February 2026, falling to 35,842 units from 39,164 a year earlier. The decline follows a 10% drop in January and reflects a broader slowdown in economic growth, with GDP growth slowing to 3.0% YoY in Q4 2025. Despite the overall slump, electrified vehicles surged, with BEV sales up 77% to 594 units and hybrid sales climbing 50% to 4,551 units year‑to‑date. Toyota remains the market leader, though its sales fell 6%, while forecasts predict less than 2% growth in the light‑vehicle segment for 2026.
SalMar - Update of Issuer Credit Rating From Nordic Credit Rating
Nordic Credit Rating upgraded Norway‑based salmon farmer SalMar ASA to a BBB long‑term issuer rating with a stable outlook on 20 March 2026. The agency highlighted the company's strong profitability and moderate financial leverage as key drivers. The rating places SalMar in...
‘The Variety Has Really Sharpened My Thinking’: Funke Abimbola on Being a Fractional GC
Funke Abimbola, former Roche UK‑Ireland GC and MBE‑honoured lawyer, has been offering fractional general counsel services through The Legal Director since November 2024. She explains that high‑growth tech, AI and SaaS firms often need senior legal judgment before they can...
Hospitality HR Pivots to Cross-Training Amid Talent Shortage
Hospitality operators across Asia are overhauling HR structures to address a deepening talent shortage, shifting focus from external hiring to retaining existing staff. Marriott International has launched an integrated cross‑training program that enables employees to work across multiple departments and...
Lynas Announces First Samarium Oxide Output in Malaysia
Lynas Rare Earths announced the first production of samarium oxide at its Malaysia facility, achieving the milestone ahead of the planned April 2026 timeline. The output adds samarium oxide to Lynas' portfolio of separated heavy rare earth (HRE) oxides, joining dysprosium...
FCA Orders Beauforce Corporation to Cease Operating
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has ordered Beauforce Corporation Limited to stop all regulated activities, including debt‑advice and debt‑management services, and to return client funds held in its accounts. The action follows revelations that the firm’s senior manager, Mr Duckett, is...
How Automation Is Transforming Remanufacturing
Manufacturers are shifting from pure production to extending product lifecycles through automated remanufacturing. Rising e‑waste, raw‑material costs and supply‑chain volatility are driving this change, with remanufactured components offering 40%‑80% cost savings while matching performance. Advances in AI, machine vision, force‑sensitive...
From the Archive: Tesco Online
Tesco launched its online grocery platform in 1997 and by February 2001 had grown sales to £237 million, up from £59 million the previous year, on a modest £40 million investment. The retailer pioneered an in‑store picking model, expanding delivery from a single...
Instagram Affiliate Marketing: What Still Works In 2026
Instagram affiliate marketing now merges influencer and performance tactics as Meta expands shoppable posts and in‑app checkout. Brands must navigate new tagging workflows, tiered commission bands, and stricter FTC disclosures. Hybrid compensation models and native tagging drive higher ROI, but...
Hyundai Recalls over 100,000 Kona Electric Vehicles
Hyundai is recalling 104,011 first‑generation Kona Electric vehicles produced between January 2018 and July 2023 after a software flaw in the battery‑management system was found to potentially miss early signs of thermal instability. The defect raises a fire risk, prompting authorised service...
Best PC Graphics Settings in Crimson Desert
The Dot Esports guide breaks down optimal graphics configurations for Crimson Desert across low‑end, mid‑range, and high‑end PCs. It recommends specific video and graphics settings—such as DLSS for low‑end rigs, high texture quality for mid‑range systems, and full ray tracing...
Iran Warns UK: U.S. Access to British Military Bases Means ‘Participation in Aggression’ Against Tehran
Iran’s foreign minister warned Britain that any U.S. use of British military bases would be deemed "participation in aggression" against Tehran. The warning follows President Donald Trump’s criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not supporting U.S. actions in the...
$1 Million Apartments in Paris
A one‑bedroom top‑floor unit in the Sainte‑Avoye enclave of Le Marais is listed for $979,000 (€850,000). The 549‑square‑foot apartment commands $1,783 per square foot and sits within a mid‑17th‑century mansion adjacent to Paris’s oldest standing building. It offers high ceilings, original...
How a Power Line From Canada Could Be a New York Lifeline
A 339‑mile transmission line is set to bring Canadian hydropower to New York City for the first time, linking upstate New York’s power grid with renewable electricity from Quebec. The project, slated for completion in the mid‑2020s, will add roughly...
Norwegian Block Exchange Issues Share Options to Employees and Board Members for 2025
Norwegian Block Exchange (NBX) granted 9,385,098 share options to employees and board members for 2025, with a strike price of 0.369 NOK and a four‑year exercise window after a three‑year vesting schedule. Vesting occurs at 20 % after 18 months, 35 % after...
A TikTok-Famous Model of New York City Heads to Museum Mile
Delivery driver Joe Macken spent two decades crafting a detailed balsa‑wood replica of New York City, comprising hundreds of thousands of miniature structures. The model went viral on TikTok, garnering over 10 million views and drawing widespread attention. In March 2026, the...
How New Mexico Became an Obamacare Success Story
After the federal enhanced ACA subsidies expired, New Mexico became the only state to replace them with state‑funded assistance. The move averted an estimated 27,000 residents losing coverage and added roughly 10,000 new enrollees, setting a record for the state...
Report: World Cup’s Contribution to Ad Growth Weakening
World Cup 2026 will be the largest ever, but its contribution to global ad growth is weakening. WARC Media forecasts a $10.5 billion uplift, just a 1.1 % increase versus the 2022 tournament, indicating fragmented impact. Advertisers must now reach fans across...
How Mythology Can Help Us Navigate the Age of AI
Declan Goodman argues that the key to successful AI adoption lies in storytelling, not technology. By borrowing mythic narratives such as Raven, Midas, and Krishna, leaders can frame AI initiatives in human‑centric terms that build trust. The article highlights three...
Hozy Is a Cozy Decorating Game that Makes Me Want to Rip up My Carpet, and Take a Trip to...
Indie developer Come On Studio is set to launch Hozy on March 30, 2026. The game is a cozy home‑renovation simulator that lets players clean, paint, and furnish rooms without timers or score pressures. Hozy offers nine handcrafted locations and...
US Trade Judge Says Apple Can Sell Redesigned Blood Monitor
A U.S. trade judge issued a preliminary ruling that Apple can keep selling a redesigned blood‑oxygen monitor on its Apple Watch, finding it does not infringe Masimo’s patents. The original monitor was blocked by the International Trade Commission in 2023,...
Tunisia’s Capital Is Captivating a New Generation of Travelers
Tunis is experiencing a cultural surge as tourism rebounds toward pre‑pandemic levels, with 6.4 million visitors recorded in 2022. Visa‑free entry for the US, Canada and most EU nations, coupled with a favorable exchange rate, makes the city an affordable destination....
The Iran War Broke More Than the Middle East
The Iran war has rippled through the global travel ecosystem, breaking airline networks and exposing fragile post‑COVID fixes. AI‑driven customer‑service tools proved inadequate when travelers needed urgent, human assistance. A concurrent U.S. partial government shutdown left TSA staff working without...
The Best Used Cars to Buy Right Now, According to Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports released a list of the ten best used cars to buy as new‑car prices top $50,000. The guide highlights models ranging from the sub‑$10,000 Mazda6 to the $20,000‑plus Lexus NX, emphasizing fuel economy, safety tech and overall ownership...
EEOC Rescinds 2024 Workplace Harassment Guidance: What Employers Need to Know
The EEOC voted 2‑1 on Jan 22, 2026 to rescind its 2024 Enforcement Guidance on Harassment, its first major policy reversal since regaining a quorum in late 2025. The original guidance modernized Title VII interpretation, incorporated Bostock, remote‑work issues, and gender‑identity protections. The rescission...
The Stack: Ads, Accountability, and AI
Meta is under fire in the UK after the FCA uncovered 1,052 illegal high‑risk financial ads in a single week, many from previously flagged accounts. Whistleblowers allege Meta and TikTok deliberately amplified harmful, outrage‑driven content to boost engagement. Trust issues...
Supreme Court to Decide Timing of Actuarial Assumptions in Withdrawal Liability Calculations
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari to resolve a split among federal circuits over whether multi‑employer pension plans must use actuarial assumptions fixed at the end of the plan year or may adopt new assumptions after year‑end based on...
Listen: Trump’s NIH ‘Reset’ Is Driving Away Scientists
The National Institutes of Health has seen roughly 20% of its workforce depart during President Trump’s second term, driven by budget cuts and a politically charged environment. Former NIH scientists warn that this exodus—often called a brain drain—could curtail breakthrough...
Farmers Get Backing to Stick up Turbines
The UK government plans to let farmers, schools and businesses install a single on‑shore wind turbine up to 30 metres tall without filing a planning application. The change extends permitted‑development rights beyond domestic sites, aiming to cut costs and eliminate delays...
Mind-Altering Substances Are (Still) Falling Short in Clinical Trials
Psychedelic research has surged, but recent psilocybin trials reveal modest benefits that fail to outpace placebo. A German study with 144 treatment‑resistant depression patients found no statistically significant advantage for high‑dose psilocybin. An open‑label review of 24 trials concluded psychedelics...
Georgia Hasn’t Had a Consumer Advocate for Electric Ratepayers for 18 Years
Georgia eliminated its Consumer Utilities Counsel (CUC) in 2008, leaving the state without an independent advocate for residential and small‑business electricity customers. Recent attempts to restore the office have stalled in the state Senate, despite growing concerns over rapid utility...
Iran-Driven Energy Shocks Elevates Credit Risk for UK Energy Suppliers
UK energy suppliers face heightened credit risk as Iran‑driven gas price shocks double wholesale gas prices to 174 pence per therm in March 2026. The UK’s electricity market relies on gas‑fired generators for marginal pricing, so wholesale spikes directly erode supplier...
Dressr Launches a Rental Service for Vintage Designer Handbags
Belgian fashion platform Dressr, together with restoration studio HoiHoi, has introduced a rental service for vintage designer handbags. The curated collection features restored pieces from brands like Celine, Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, available for ten‑day rentals starting at €52,...
How a Localized Influencer Strategy Drove 24% Follower Growth for a Hospitality Brand
Hospitality brands are turning to localized influencer campaigns to amplify reach and drive bookings. In 2025, a targeted strategy using travel‑focused creators lifted a hotel’s social following by 24%, while 71% of travelers reported greater booking intent after seeing authentic...
New Italy-Sweden Freight Route Launched
FS Logistix, via its German arm TX Logistik, and Finland's Nurminen Logistics have launched a weekly 2,500‑km block‑train freight corridor between Castelguelfo, Italy and Frövi, Sweden. The service traverses Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, delivering containers of food, beverages,...
NJ: ICE Agents Can’t Be Barred From NJ Transit Buses, Trains and Stations
New Jersey’s public‑transport agency, NJ Transit, will continue to permit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on its buses, trains and stations. The decision follows Governor Mikie Sherrill’s executive order, which limits ICE access only to non‑public state property, leaving...
Alexander McQueen to Relocate Old Bond Street Flagship Amid Wider Restructuring
Alexander McQueen will relocate its Old Bond Street flagship to a new premium location on the same street, slated for the final quarter of 2026. The move retains the existing store team and will feature a full range of ready‑to‑wear...
PA: Upgrading PRT's Panhandle Bridge From South Side to Downtown Pittsburgh Will Cost $58 Million
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is set to award a $58 million contract to Mosites Construction for a comprehensive upgrade of the historic Panhandle Bridge linking the South Side to Downtown. Although the contract will be signed next week, construction will not...
Critical Langflow Vulnerability Exploited Hours After Public Disclosure
Langflow, a widely used open‑source AI workflow builder, disclosed a critical remote code execution flaw (CVE‑2026‑33017) with a CVSS score of 9.3. The vulnerability affects an unauthenticated POST endpoint that processes a ‘data’ parameter, allowing attackers to inject Python code...
Access Hospitality Appoints Aravinda Gollapudi as Chief Technology Officer
Access Hospitality, the hospitality‑technology arm of The Access Group, has appointed Aravinda Gollapudi as Chief Technology Officer. Gollapudi, a veteran of Sage, Intuit, Ellie Mae and VeriSign, will steer the company’s global technology strategy, emphasizing agentic AI to create a...
Baker Botts Adds Arbitration Partner From Norton Rose Fulbright in Singapore
U.S. law firm Baker Botts has added seasoned energy partner Katie Chung from Norton Rose Fulbright to its Singapore office, bolstering its international arbitration capabilities in Asia. Chung arrives with two decades of experience handling high‑stakes disputes across energy, infrastructure...
A Partially Stripped Succinonitrile Shield Rendering Air‐Stable Li5FeO4 Prelithiation Agent for Dendrite‐Free and Long‐Lifespan Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Researchers introduced a succinonitrile (SN) coating on Li₅FeO₄ (LFO) particles, creating an air‑stable prelithiation additive (LFO@SN). The SN layer suppresses surface alkalization, preserving a high initial charge capacity of 623.8 mAh g⁻¹ after one hour of ambient exposure. In electrolyte, the coating...
740-Metre Trains Have Shown Themselves to Be Surprisingly Divisive
RailFreight.com’s opinion piece sparked a heated debate over Europe’s push for 740‑metre freight trains. While EU policy treats the length as essential for capacity, critics argue that longer trains worsen bottlenecks, slow speeds, and misalign with shipper needs. Opponents highlight...
One Alliance North America Targets Debut $100m One Shield Re Catastrophe Bond
One Alliance North America Insurance Company is launching its first catastrophe bond through Bermuda‑based One Shield Re Ltd., targeting at least $100 million of multi‑peril reinsurance. The Series 2026‑1 Class A tranche will provide three‑year coverage for named storms across six states and...
LivaNova’s Aura6000 System Secures the US FDA Premarket Approval to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
LivaNova received FDA Premarket Approval for its aura6000 neurostimulation system, targeting adults with moderate‑to‑severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who cannot use or have failed first‑line therapies. The approval is based on the OSPREY randomized controlled trial, which showed a 65%...
Goldleaf Merchant Investigation Answers in Crimson Desert
The "Extinguishing the Last Flames" quest in Crimson Desert tasks players with a multi‑stage investigation to uncover a trade‑route leak. Players interview five NPCs—Nogle, Kathan, Skrav, Blique, and Grimzle—collecting specific ledgers, reports, and receipts as evidence. Correctly submitting each item...
Platinum Is Back. So Why Are Its Miners Shunning Growth?
After a year of depressed prices, platinum‑group metal (PGM) prices have nearly doubled and producer shares rose over 70%. Despite the rally, CEOs of companies that control 80% of global PGM output said they will prioritize life‑of‑mine extensions, cost discipline...
Warwick Secures Funding to Boost UK Wide-Bandgap Power Semiconductor Reliability Testing
The University of Warwick has secured funding to acquire a wide‑bandgap (WBG) dynamic reliability tester from ipTEST Ltd, bolstering the UK’s capacity to evaluate SiC and GaN power semiconductors. The equipment will feed the nation’s first comprehensive reliability database, supporting...
AndBeyond Sandibe Under Canvas and andBeyond Nxabega Under Canvas, Botswana - Opening This Month
andBeyond is adding two ultra‑luxury Under Canvas camps—Sandibe and Nxabega—in Botswana, slated to open in March 2026 with three‑tent configurations and all‑inclusive rates starting at $580 per person. The company also announced the July 2026 re‑opening of Phinda Vlei Lodge...
STAT+: Novartis Picks up Experimental Breast Cancer Therapy for $2B
Novartis announced the acquisition of experimental breast‑cancer drug SNV4818 from Synnovation Therapeutics for a $2 billion upfront payment, with up to $1 billion in milestone‑based earn‑outs. The oral agent is in a Phase 1/2 study targeting mutant PI3Kα in HR‑positive, HER2‑negative tumors while...