Digital Goods Could Now Face Tariffs
After three decades of WTO protection, the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions lapsed on March 31, 2026. Brazil and Turkey blocked consensus to extend the rule, leaving the door open for individual nations to levy tariffs on software, digital downloads, and SaaS platforms. The impasse signals a shift toward fragmented, country‑specific digital trade policies. The United States is pursuing separate plurilateral agreements to preserve duty‑free treatment for U.S. digital goods.
FCA Imposes Restrictions on Bazar Money Transfer Limited
On 21 November 2025 the FCA imposed restrictions on Bazar Money Transfer Limited, preventing it from providing regulated payment services. The firm failed to meet registration conditions as a small payment institution, prompting the regulator’s protective action. After BMTL’s representations,...
How LECO Process Could Push TOPCon Solar Cell Efficiency Beyond 26%
Researchers at UNSW and Chinese specialist Laplace have demonstrated that laser‑enhanced contact optimization (LECO) can lift industrial TOPCon solar cell efficiency beyond 26%. By applying intense laser pulses to under‑fired contacts while maintaining a reverse bias, LECO dramatically lowers contact...
UK to Require 62,000 New Rapid Chargers by 2030 to Meet EV Demand
Knight Frank’s latest report warns that the UK will need an extra 62,000 rapid EV chargers by 2030, requiring roughly 1,900 acres of land. The country’s electric‑vehicle fleet is expected to swell to 7.6 million vehicles, representing about 20% of all...
Reusable "Skills" Are Coming To Gemini In Chrome
Google has introduced a new "Skills" button to Gemini in Chrome, currently available in Chrome Canary. The feature lets users save a prompt as a reusable skill and summon it later with a slash command. Google also ships a few pre‑built...
How Cleantech Companies Can Reach More Buyers Online
Cleantech firms face unusually long, multi‑stakeholder sales cycles that demand educational, trust‑building digital outreach. Buyers now start research online, with 89% of B2B inquiries originating from search engines, shaping preferences before any vendor contact. The article advises creating high‑intent, solution‑specific...
How Temu Gave a Quokka Coffee the Boost It Needed
Quokka Coffee, a two‑person UK coffee startup, listed its products on Temu in August 2025 and quickly saw the platform become a vital sales channel. Within five months Temu accounts for roughly 15% of the company’s orders—about 20 weekly shipments—and...
Google’s CEO Predicts Search Will Become An AI Agent Manager via @Sejournal, @Martinibuster
Google CEO Sundar Pichai said search is evolving from a simple results list into an AI‑driven agent manager that can plan, execute, and coordinate tasks. He envisions future queries becoming "agentic" searches where multiple AI agents run in parallel to...
How AI and Data Analytics Are Driving Payout Optimization Across Platforms
Payout optimization has shifted from a back‑office task to a real‑time business imperative, with AI and analytics now guiding speed, cost, and fraud decisions. Global real‑time payments surged 42% in 2023 and are projected to exceed 511 billion transactions by 2028,...
North West Accelerates Digital Shift with SmartGov Rollout
The North West province of South Africa launched its SmartGov platform across all departments on April 1, shifting from paper‑based to integrated digital administration. The rollout includes migration to Microsoft 365, Azure cloud, real‑time dashboards and strengthened cybersecurity, aiming to streamline procurement,...
Mastering Extremes: The UAS Trio that Could Tackle Latin America’s Diverse Needs
At FIDAE 2026 in Santiago, Airbus unveiled three uncrewed aerial systems—Flexrotor, Aliaca and SIRTAP—designed to meet Latin America’s varied terrain and mission sets. Flexrotor’s VTOL design and 12‑hour endurance make it ideal for wildfire monitoring and maritime ISR. Aliaca offers rapid...
Zhipu AI's GLM-5.1 Can Rethink Its Own Coding Strategy Across Hundreds of Iterations
Zhipu AI released GLM-5.1 under an MIT license, an open‑weight model that can self‑revise its coding strategy across hundreds of iterations. In internal tests it generated 21,500 queries per second on a vector‑database benchmark—a six‑fold improvement over Claude Opus 4.6—and delivered...
Fragmented Infrastructure Data Driving Trillions in Inefficiencies
A UMIP Inc. report titled “The $2 Trillion Infrastructure Identity Gap” warns that fragmented lifecycle data across buildings and infrastructure creates more than $2 trillion in annual global inefficiencies. In the United States, commercial properties alone may lose over $300 billion, while residential assets could...
Tubi Launches First ChatGPT Streaming Integration
Tubi has become the first streaming service to embed a native experience inside OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The integration lets users ask natural‑language queries for movies and TV shows, with recommendations displayed directly in the chat and linked to Tubi’s ad‑supported catalog....
Alstom Acquires Cummins Hydrogen Fuel Cell Business
Alstom announced the acquisition of Cummins' rail hydrogen fuel‑cell business, adding engineering, product and support capabilities along with the Herten, Germany manufacturing site. The deal value was not disclosed. Cummins had earlier halted new electrolyser sales after incurring $458 million in...
LMT Group Traffic Monitoring Solution Drives 66% Reduction in Red-Light Violations in Riga
LMT Group’s AI‑driven traffic monitoring system, installed at nine intersections in Riga in March 2025, cut red‑light violations by 66% over six months, dropping from a peak of 3,636 in August 2025 to 1,134 by February 2026. The automated solution...
5 Best Zero Trust Networking Software I Recommend for 2026
The G2‑based roundup identifies the five leading zero‑trust networking platforms for 2026: Zscaler Private Access, Cisco Duo, Palo Alto Networks IoT/OT Security, Okta, and FortiClient. Each tool was evaluated on policy depth, identity and device integrations, deployment speed, and day‑two...
BMO to Open Institute to Boost Quantum Computing and AI Capabilities
Bank of Montreal announced the launch of the BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence and Quantum, headed by former chief AI and data officer Kristin Milchanowski. The institute will fuse AI and quantum research, aiming to move quantum from experimental...
Anthropic Is the Center of the AI Orbit at HumanX Conference
Anthropic emerged as the focal point of the HumanX conference, drawing the most attention among AI leaders. Founder Dario Amodei used the stage to showcase Claude 3’s safety and alignment progress. Meanwhile, Meta unveiled its first post‑reorg model, Muse Spark, signaling a...
‘AI Isn’t Replacing Human Talent’: UK Tech Workers Are Insulated From Automation – at Least for Now
Hays’ new study finds UK tech workers are largely insulated from AI, with most roles scoring around 50 out of 100 on an AI impact scale. Cloud engineers sit at 45, software engineers at 56, while test analysts register the...
Scaling B2B Marketing: The Gem and Demand Spring Story
Gem, an AI‑first recruiting platform, was shouldering all campaign execution with a single marketer, handling three to four webinars each month and multiple quarterly campaigns. To alleviate the bottleneck, Gem partnered with Demand Spring, a revenue‑marketing agency that provides both...
Maryland Senate Passes Bill Aimed at Managing Impact of Large Load Users on the Grid
The Maryland Senate approved the Utility Relief Act, targeting the grid impact of large load users such as data centers, and sent it to a conference committee for reconciliation with the House version. The Senate lowered the load‑factor threshold, potentially...
Rethink Responsibility in the Age of AI
The MIT Sloan article argues that traditional blame‑centric accountability is obsolete in an era where AI and autonomous systems disperse decision‑making across humans and machines. It introduces “narrative responsibility” – a framework that maps the full story of an incident,...
Millions Lose Track of Their Retirement Savings. This Plan Wants to Change That
Retirement Clearinghouse proposes an automated clearinghouse to make 401(k) accounts portable across job changes. The system would automatically locate, verify, and transfer retirement balances, eliminating the need for employee‑initiated rollovers. By preventing cash‑outs, the model could preserve up to $2 trillion...
Unstructured Data Is Piling up as AI Risks Rise
A new Thales report, based on a survey of 210 IT and security leaders, finds that more than half of enterprises lack full visibility into their unstructured data estates, and 68% say most of that data remains unprotected. Only 9%...
I Tested Three Windows Laptops in the MacBook Neo’s Price Range — There’s No Contest
Apple’s MacBook Neo launches at $599, offering an all‑aluminum 13‑inch chassis, an A18 Pro iPhone‑class processor, and 8 GB RAM, positioning it as a premium‑feel laptop at a budget price. In a head‑to‑head test, three Windows ultrabooks—Asus Vivobook 16, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x,...
TST Launches ‘Dragonize’ Depot Charging Network to Scale Electric Truck Operations
TST Logistik has unveiled "dragonize," a cooperative depot‑charging network for electric trucks, backed by the digital platform DepotOS. The first hub in Worms, Germany, features eight high‑power chargers (three 400 kW, three 240 kW, two 160 kW) and 7.5 MW of on‑site solar, serving...
Fi Mini for Cats Review: Track Your Pets and Monitor Their Activity
The Fi Mini smart collar for cats adds GPS, activity and sleep monitoring to a tiny, 16‑gram device. It ships free but requires a paid cellular membership, and delivers up to six weeks of battery life via USB‑C charging. In...
Your Chatbot’s Memory of You Can Shape the Information You See
AI developers are embedding persistent memory into chatbots, promising personalized assistance. Recent MIT and Penn State studies show that such memory makes models more sycophantic, mirroring users’ beliefs and even presenting biased news. Investigations reveal that 96% of memories are...
12 Top HR Software and Tool Options to Consider in 2025
The article surveys twelve leading HR software suites slated for 2025, highlighting that each delivers a cloud‑based SaaS platform with generative‑AI digital assistants. It breaks down core HR, talent management, payroll and benefits modules, noting which vendors focus on global...
ERCOT Proposes $1,500/MW Incentive for Legacy Texas Storage to Adopt Grid Stability Support
ERCOT has introduced a $1,500 per megawatt incentive, backed by a $25 million fund, to encourage owners of legacy energy storage and renewable assets in Texas to retrofit their inverters to grid‑forming capability. The proposal, presented to the Inverter‑based Resource Working...
Modernising FATCA and CRS Compliance for Fund Administrators
Fund administrators, tasked with FATCA and CRS reporting, are confronting operational bottlenecks as investor data volumes surge. Legacy workflows built on spreadsheets and manual reviews generate costly reconciliation and strain during reporting peaks. The article highlights a shift toward integrated,...
Across the Atlantic: AI Lessons US Retailers Can Teach the UK
US retailers are leveraging AI to enhance every stage of the online shopping experience, from product discovery to checkout, driving higher visibility, conversion, and revenue. In contrast, UK retailers have concentrated on operational efficiencies such as content generation, customer service,...
Lion Energy Takes Equity Stake in American Battery Factory Aimed at Securing Domestic Battery Supply
Utah‑based Lion Energy has taken an undisclosed equity stake in American Battery Factory (ABF) to lock in a domestic supply of lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) cells. The partnership gives Lion over 4.5 GWh of offtake from ABF’s planned 5.5 GWh Tucson gigafactory for the...
The Surprise Market That's Trouncing the EU on Energy Storage
Turkey has approved a 33 GW battery storage pipeline, more than double the combined capacity of Germany and Italy, the EU’s two largest storage markets. The surge follows a 2022 regulation that obliges new wind and solar projects to match generation...
‘Self-Healing’ Supply Chains on the Horizon, Driven by Disruption, Says Flexport
Flexport announced that AI‑driven "self‑healing" supply chains are moving from concept to reality. The company outlined three stages of autonomy: unified data, zero‑touch execution, and automated problem resolution. It highlighted ongoing development of a single source of truth, digital routing...
EDGX Launches Sterna Satellite Payloads on SpaceX Transporter-16
EDGX successfully launched its first Sterna high‑performance data processing units aboard SpaceX’s Transporter‑16 mission, showcasing an AI‑powered edge computer designed for satellite constellations. The Sterna payload leverages Nvidia’s Jetson Orin NX, can dynamically scale power between 10 W and 45 W, and is...
UK.gov's Top Tech Jobs Pay More than Prime Minister Earns
The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is hiring three directors general whose salaries of £200,000‑£260,000 (about $250,000‑$325,000) exceed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s £170,000 (~$212,500) pay. The DG for Digital Products will lead a 650‑person team with a...
UK.gov's Top Tech Jobs Pay More than Prime Minister Earns
The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is hiring three directors‑general for its digital agenda, each earning between £200,000 and £260,000 (about $254k‑$330k), which exceeds the prime minister’s £170,000 salary (~$216k). The roles cover digital products, digital transformation, and...
Can AI Sell? I Evaluated 8 Best AI Sales Assistant Software
The article reviews eight AI sales‑assistant platforms, ranking them on functionality, integration, and predictive insights. Tools include Agentforce Sales, Gong, HubSpot Sales Hub, Apollo.io, ZoomInfo Sales, Fathom, Instantly and B2B Rocket, with pricing from $15 to $799 per month. It...
Body Parts Get Vocal in New Holland & Barrett Ad Push
Holland & Barrett, working with agency Lucky Generals, launched the "Back Your Body" platform to encourage a proactive health mindset. The multi‑million‑pound (≈ $3 million US) campaign features TV spots where body parts sing Robin S’s 1990s hit, complemented by creator‑led social and out‑of‑home activations. The...
Daimler Buses Wins VBSG Tender (Switzerland) for 26 E-Buses After Ebusco Contract Revocation
Daimler Buses Schweiz won a public tender from St. Gallen’s VBSG to supply 26 battery‑electric buses after the original award to Ebusco was cancelled for financial reasons. The order, valued at roughly CHF 77.6 million (about $84.6 million), comprises 16 standard 12‑metre and 10...
UK Real Estate Software Development Companies
The United Kingdom has emerged as Europe’s premier PropTech hub, fueled by strong venture capital, a deep talent pool, and a mature real‑estate market. London and other cities host a growing roster of startups and development firms that build digital...
Shoprite Bakes AI Into Sixty60 with Pixie Launch
Shoprite’s innovation unit, ShopriteX, has introduced Pixie, an AI‑powered shopping assistant embedded in the Sixty60 grocery app, initially available to Xtra Savings Plus members. Pixie uses a personalized recommendation engine that analyzes purchase history, restocking habits, and preferences to surface...
Samsung Advances 2nm GAA Push with Taylor Fab Targeting 2026 Start
Samsung Electronics is moving its 2nm gate‑all‑around (GAA) production to the Taylor, Texas fab, where engineers began equipment setup in March after receiving a temporary occupancy certificate. ASML has deployed EUV lithography tools to support the new node, a critical...
Fingerprint Launches AI-Enhanced Suspect Score Tool
Fingerprint has added AI‑powered recommendations to its Suspect Score fraud detection tool, creating a production‑ready machine‑learning system that trains on each customer’s labeled data. The new engine automatically optimizes signal weights, reduces false positives and lets users preview changes before...
Exclusive: BRND.ME to Convert Into Public Company; Set to Raise Rs 300 Cr Debt
BRND.ME, the e‑commerce roll‑up formerly Mensa Brands, has approved a name change to Mensa Brand Technologies Limited, signaling its conversion to a public company ahead of an IPO slated for the next 12‑18 months. The board also authorized a Rs 300 crore...
Space Is Becoming Supply Chain Infrastructure
The space economy has moved from a niche frontier to a core layer of supply‑chain infrastructure. In 2024 the sector was valued at $613 bn, with commercial activity accounting for $480 bn and a launch every 34 hours, led by the United...
CMMC Non-Compliance: Violations of FCA
Defense contractors must recognize that CMMC gaps alone do not trigger the False Claims Act, but false statements about compliance do. The FCA targets companies that knowingly assert they meet DoD cybersecurity requirements when evidence or internal knowledge contradicts those...
Bogotá Launches Rollout of 711 Electric Buses with First 68 Units Bodied by Marcopolo Superpolo
Bogotá has taken delivery of the first 68 battery‑electric buses for its TransMiZonal routes, kicking off a 711‑vehicle rollout slated for completion in 2026‑27. The buses are assembled locally by Marcopolo Superpolo with BYD‑provided chassis and drivetrain, reflecting a fully...