AI Is Changing How Shoppers Find Products – with Signs Pointing to Brands Creating AI-First Marketing Strategies
The Criteo 2026 Commerce & AI Trend Report shows AI is reshaping product discovery, with 47% of shoppers using it for comparison and 39% for finding new items, yet only 8% rely on AI to finalize purchases. Consumers crave “relevant surprises,” as 56% want recommendations beyond exact matches, while 96% still blend AI assistants with traditional channels. Trust and privacy remain pivotal, with half of respondents demanding protection from biased content and cautious about sharing personal data. Brands are urged to adopt AI‑first marketing, ensuring their products are intelligible to both humans and AI agents.
Hesai Brings LiDAR to E-Scooters as Per-Unit Costs Plummet
Hesai has slashed LiDAR prices to about $200 per unit, enabling its FTX blind‑spot sensor to be fitted on Niu Technologies' new NXT2 e‑scooter. The partnership marks a turning point for affordable perception technology, previously limited to high‑end EVs and...
Myriad Genetics Receives the US FDA Approval for MyChoice CDx Test as a Companion Diagnostic for GSK’s Zejula
Myriad Genetics announced FDA approval of its MyChoice CDx test as a companion diagnostic for GSK’s Zejula (niraparib) in advanced ovarian cancer. The clearance follows the PRIMA trial, which showed that patients identified as HRD‑positive derived significant benefit from Zejula...
Postbank Becomes Licensed Financial Services Provider
South Africa’s Postbank has been granted a licence by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to provide financial advice and intermediary services under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act. The regulatory approval, welcomed by Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele and parliamentary...
CTrack Brings AI-Enhanced Software Platform to the UK for Intelligent Fleet and Asset Management
Ctrack has launched its AI‑enhanced platform Crystal in the UK, extending a global rollout after acquiring Inseego’s telematics business. The modular solution combines telematics, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to deliver real‑time insights, driver‑behaviour monitoring and workflow automation for fleets...
Navigating the Valley of Death: A How-To From an Investor’s Perspective
Biotech startups face the notorious "valley of death" as they move from proof‑of‑concept to commercialization, but investors remain active, with a 70.9% jump in venture‑financing deal value between Q2 and Q3 2025. A GlobalData survey shows 39% of respondents are...
Tech Disruption as a Day Job - Lloyds Banking Group CEO Charles Nunn on AI, Digital Transformation, and Why His...
Lloyds Banking Group says its digital bank has expanded by 50%, now serving 23 million digitally active retail customers who generate roughly 7 billion interactions annually. The group has hired 9,000 new engineering and tech staff and already runs 800 AI models,...
Transportation Department Opens $650K Design Challenge for U.S. Infrastructure Projects
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy launched the "Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge," a nationwide design competition offering $650,000 in prize money. The contest spans three tiers—Professional, Public, and Student—targeting designers, artists, and K‑12 students with top awards of $250,000, $50,000,...
Hope Rises for Vaccine Against Hookworm Parasite
A phase 2 trial of the Na‑GST1/Al–CpG vaccine demonstrated near‑complete protection against hookworm infection in healthy adults, with vaccinated participants shedding a median of zero eggs per gram versus 67 in the placebo group. The study, conducted in Washington, DC,...
Closing the Gap: Theta Lake’s Reconciliation Tools
Regulatory frameworks across the US, Canada, Europe and the CFTC impose strict record‑retention periods, ranging from one to seven years, leaving firms little margin for missing communications. Gaps in data ingestion trigger regulator scrutiny and can signal heightened operational risk....
No ‘Last Hurrah’ Expected for US De Minimis as Legal Challenge Advances
The U.S. administration’s suspension of the de minimis exemption is now being challenged in the Court of International Trade after a lawsuit by auto‑parts retailer Detroit Axle alleges the move exceeds legal authority. The challenge follows a Supreme Court ruling that limited...
LG, GM to Make LFP ESS Batteries in Tennessee, Recall 700 Laid Off Workers
General Motors and LG Energy Solution’s Ultium Cells will convert its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant to produce lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery cells for stationary energy‑storage systems, investing $70 million in the retooling. Production is slated to start in the second quarter of...
How Delivery Platforms Are Becoming the New Digital Shelves for Brands
Food‑delivery aggregators such as Talabat, Deliveroo and Careem have turned into digital shelves for restaurants across the UAE and wider Middle East. Visibility on these apps—driven by algorithmic rankings, menu presentation and promotions—now determines a brand’s ability to attract orders,...
Kiabi Is Expanding Its Online Marketplace to Spain and Italy
Kiabi is extending its newly launched online marketplace beyond France to Spain and Italy, introducing third‑party brands alongside its own apparel line. The rollout adds complementary categories such as children’s products, baby gear, and home essentials, creating a broader family‑focused...
Graphene Oxide Enables Improved Supercapacitors with 1683 C/G Capacitance
Researchers from Shanghai Institute of Technology and partners have created a highly porous NiCo₂V₂O₈@GO hollow‑sphere electrode that dramatically improves supercapacitor performance. The yolk‑double‑shell architecture, coated with graphene oxide, delivers a specific capacitance of 1683 C·g⁻¹ at 1 A·g⁻¹ and retains 87% at...
The Wrong Question: Why the TMS Debate Is Distracting Forwarders From What Comes Next
Freight forwarders are fixated on the "which TMS?" debate, especially around CargoWise pricing, but industry veteran Brian Glick argues the real issue is integration and what comes after traditional TMS. He positions Chain.io as a neutral integration layer that separates...
Segway Navimow Robotic Lawn Mowers Earn TÜV Certification for Minimal Lawn Impact
Segway Navimow’s X420 and i206 AWD robotic lawn mowers have secured TÜV Rheinland’s Lawn Care certification, the first for any robotic mower. The certification confirms Level 2 minimal lawn impact after a simulated year of high‑frequency mowing. Both units demonstrated exceptional...
SA Banks Escalate Digital Push to Gain Market Share
South Africa’s major banks are intensifying a digital arms race, using mobile‑first platforms and AI to capture market share. PwC’s Major Banks Analysis shows combined earnings rose 9.4 % to R152.5 billion in 2025, supported by disciplined cost control and strong non‑interest...
Revlon Lands Licence for Salt Life’s First Fragrance
Revlon has signed a licensing agreement with Salt Life, the ocean‑focused apparel brand owned by Iconix International, to develop its first fragrance collection. The debut line, inspired by Salt Life’s “ocean‑driven lifestyle,” is scheduled to hit retail shelves in 2027....
IWT Expands Use of Aras Innovator PLM Platform
IWT has broadened its reliance on Aras Innovator, turning a CAD‑centric PLM into an enterprise‑wide product data platform. Since the 2019 go‑live, the system now supports engineering, project, spare‑parts, and quotation processes, with 80% of staff using it as their...
Britain’s Hydrogen Network Takes Shape with a 300-Mile Spine Along the East Coast
National Gas has launched Phase 1 of Project Union, a 300‑mile hydrogen pipeline stretching from Teesside through Yorkshire to the East Midlands, forming the backbone of a planned 1,500‑mile UK hydrogen network. The corridor will repurpose existing gas lines where feasible and...
Retro-Innovation: How Smart Companies Profit From the Past
MIT Sloan Management Review highlights the rise of “retro‑innovation,” where companies revive outdated technologies to capture new demand. The article notes that products like analog phones, vinyl records, and classic video‑game consoles are resonating especially with Generation Z. It outlines three...
AI Scheduling Tools Tackle Transit Driver Shortages
Transit agencies are turning to AI‑driven scheduling platforms to combat a global shortfall of roughly 2.4 million bus drivers. The tools let operators model alternative roster scenarios, communicate schedules in real time, and curb unscheduled overtime that fuels fatigue and turnover....
Mitochondria Packaged in Blood Cell Membranes Improve Disease Symptoms in Mice
Researchers have engineered microscopic capsules made from red blood cell membranes that encase single, healthy mitochondria and can be injected into animals. In mouse models of Parkinson‑like disease and Leigh syndrome, the capsules restored neuronal function, improved motor activity, and...
Macy’s Inc. Ends Year on Encouraging Note, Q4 Sales Beat Expectations
Macy’s Inc. reported a stronger fourth‑quarter performance, with comparable sales increasing 1.8% and net sales of $7.6 billion, surpassing its own guidance. The company’s Bloomingdale’s division led growth, posting an 8.5% rise in net sales and 9.9% comparable‑sales growth, while re‑imagined...
Acalvio Launches 360 Deception to Break AI Attack Automation
Acalvio unveiled 360 Deception, a next‑generation cyber‑deception platform designed to break AI‑driven attack automation. The solution creates a high‑uncertainty environment by dynamically orchestrating decoys and making real assets appear deceptive, forcing attackers to reveal intent early. In a U.S. Navy...
Look Who’s Tracking
Investigative reporter Francesca D’Annunzio uncovered that Texas Department of Public Safety spent $5.3 million on PenLink’s Cobwebs‑produced Tangles phone‑tracking software, a key component of Governor Greg Abbott’s $11 billion Operation Lone Star. The contract, first signed in 2021 and renewed annually, allows...
UK Exclusive: Revive Collagen Signs Spice Girl Mel B as Ambassador for Menopause Range
Revive Collagen has appointed Spice Girls icon Mel B as the ambassador for its new menopause product range. The 50‑year‑old MBE, known for her advocacy of women’s health, said the brand’s focus on supporting women during menopause resonated with her. The...
Bull of the Day: Sanmina (SANM)
Sanmina (SANM) was spotlighted as the Bull of the Day, earning a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) after analysts upgraded earnings estimates for 2023 and 2024. The consensus forecast rose from $9.64 to $10.06 for the current year and from...
The Pentagon Built a Blueprint to Avoid Civilian War Casualties. Trump Officials Scrapped It
The Pentagon’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) program, created to protect non‑combatants, was largely dismantled after Donald Trump returned to the White House. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prioritized lethality, cutting roughly 90% of the program’s staff and budget. Within...
Square Report Finds Group of Loyal ‘Regulars’ Generates 6x More Revenue for Canada’s Small Businesses
Square’s inaugural Local Economy Report shows that repeat customers—defined as shoppers who visit four or more times a year—generate nearly six times more annual revenue for Canadian neighbourhood businesses than one‑time visitors. In Montreal, regulars produce seven times the value,...
Rail Outlook up on Firmer Economic Factors: AAR
The Association of American Railroads reported February freight volumes rising, with carloads up 6.5% year‑over‑year and intermodal shipments reaching a record weekly average. Coal remained the largest non‑intermodal commodity, accounting for 26.6% of volume, while grain, chemicals and petroleum also...
Researchers Propose CAD-Based Method to Identify New 3D Printed Parts without Retraining
Researchers from KU Leuven, Materialise and Iristick introduced a CAD‑based prototype matching system that identifies newly printed parts without retraining a vision model. The approach renders multiple views of each part’s CAD file, creates a feature prototype, and compares it...
Hitachi Unveils 800 VDC Architecture for AI Data Centers
Hitachi announced an 800‑volt DC (800 VDC) power and control architecture, fully integrated into the Vera Rubin DSX reference design and compatible with NVIDIA Omniverse DSX Blueprint. The solution uses an OpenUSD‑based 3D simulation that mirrors the entire electrical chain from...
‘DAC Installation Might Cost Less than 4 Euros per Day’
The European rail industry is exploring a hire‑purchase model for Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) that would cost €3.49 per wagon per day over a 20‑year term, according to EUROFIMA CEO Christoph Pasternak. The scheme relies on a non‑profit rental company...
DA Seeks Fertilizer Supply Deals with China, Russia Amid Mideast Tensions
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is negotiating fertilizer supply agreements with China, Russia, India and Belarus as Middle‑East tensions threaten the flow of nitrogen‑based inputs. While the agency has already secured more than 80% of its annual fertilizer requirement, rising...
NBI to Help DHSUD vs Housing Scammers
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has signed an agreement with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to intensify investigations against organized real‑estate scams targeting Filipino homebuyers. Simultaneously, the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned officers and the...
One of West London’s Last Pie and Mash Shops Could Be Forced to Close – Here’s How to Help Save...
Cockney’s, a beloved pie and mash shop on Portobello Road, faces a rent hike from £31,500 to £64,000, threatening its closure after three decades of operation. A petition has attracted thousands of signatures, and local MP Joe Powell has publicly...
Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents in Air Cargo on the Rise
A UL Standards & Engagement report shows lithium‑ion battery incidents in air cargo have surged 40% since 2021, climbing from 10 to 15 reported thermal‑runaway events by 2025. The rise mirrors booming e‑commerce demand for low‑cost, battery‑powered products and highlights...
Credit Union Common Bond Reform
The UK government plans to amend the credit‑union common‑bond rules across England, Scotland and Wales. The locality bond membership cap will rise from three to ten million, and new eligibility categories will include students, relatives outside the household, and retirees....
A New Model of Lime Bike Is Launching in London This Month – with Several Big Changes
Lime is rolling out a refreshed e‑bike, now branded LimeBike, across London and several other UK cities this month. The new model swaps the traditional 26‑inch wheels for 20‑inch ones, adds a lower frame, rear‑mounted battery, portrait phone holder and...
New Commuter Operator for Montreal
Montreal’s EXO commuter rail network, covering 225 km with five lines and 52 stations, carried over seven million passengers in 2024. The agency awarded a ten‑year operations and maintenance contract to Transdev, with an optional four‑year extension, after a single‑envelope weighted...
Belotti and Moi Composites Launch Belotti Powered by Moi Machining Centres
Belotti S.p.A. and Moi Composites have launched a strategic partnership that embeds Moi’s Short Fiber Manufacturing (SFM) additive technology into Belotti’s gantry CNC machining centres. The hybrid platform, branded “Belotti Powered by Moi,” combines UV‑cured thermoset composite deposition with high‑precision...
Poland Throws Flagship €1.2bn Rail Baltica Tender Back Into Play After Budimex-PORR Award Struck Down
Poland’s National Appeal Chamber has annulled the award of the €1.2 billion Białystok‑Ełk Rail Baltica contract to the Budimex‑PORR consortium. The decision forces PKP PLK to restart the tender evaluation for the 96‑km stretch, marking the second reversal after a prior award to...
The Incoming BEREC Chair Calls for Joint Efforts to Build a Future-Proof Digital Europe
Incoming BEREC Chair Alejandra de Iturriaga outlined the regulator’s 2026‑2030 strategy at the IIC Digital Communications and Media Forum. The roadmap targets a secure, competitive, inclusive and sustainable digital Europe by strengthening connectivity, open ecosystems and resilient infrastructure. Implementation will...
Cutting Planning Red Tape Will Take the UK From Laggard to Leader in Connectivity
The UK lags in 5G, ranking 24th of 30 European nations, while VodafoneThree has committed £11 bn to build a network covering 99% of the population by 2030. The rollout relies heavily on upgrading existing sites—96% of work—allowing a 30% reduction...
Cytora Unveils End-to-End AI Automation for Insurers
Cytora launched Autopilot, an agentic AI platform that automates end‑to‑end insurance risk workflows without human input. The system links fragmented data from multiple channels, maintains persistent context, and executes tasks from submission through claim adjudication. Underwriters and claims handlers can...
IRS, FATCA and CRS: The Latest RegTech Compliance News
Comply Exchange’s February 2026 roundup flags key FATCA, CRS, and IRS filing deadlines for financial institutions. Bahamas AEOI participants must submit FATCA/CRS data by March 31, 2026, while U.S. Form 1042 and 1042‑S filings closed on March 16, 2026. The IRS announced the FIRE system will...
This Uber Driver Is Serving Coffee And Breakfast Tacos In His Car
A New York City Uber driver has turned his backseat into a mini café, offering freshly brewed coffee, breakfast tacos and bottled water to riders. The setup, captured in a viral Instagram Reel, showcases a Keurig machine and a portable...
New Almalyk Mining Copper Plant Begins Work with 60 Million Tonne Capacity
Uzbekistan has launched a new copper processing plant at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, adding 60 million tonnes of annual ore‑processing capacity. The facility is slated to produce up to 900,000 tonnes of copper concentrate, potentially moving Almalyk into the global...