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Europe's Grid Swings From Negative Prices to €210/MWh as Storage Demand Surges

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Europe's Grid Swings From Negative Prices to €210/MWh as Storage Demand Surges

Munich – – September 30, 2026 -- Germany's day-ahead power prices spiked to around €210/MWh during summer heatwaves this year, levels typically seen only in winter, according to LSEG data cited by Reuters, even as the same market recorded 573 hours of negative wholesale prices in 2025.

Heat and oversupply pushed Europe's power market to opposite extremes within hours

Rising cooling demand collided with reduced nuclear output caused by high river temperatures and low water levels, while weak wind conditions and lower thermal efficiency tightened supply further. Hours later, the same grids faced the reverse problem: too much electricity. The International Energy Agency found negative-price hours accounted for roughly 6% of the year in 2025 across Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Li-S Energy Battery Powers Pegasus Drone's Near 2-Hour Flight

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Li-S Energy Battery Powers Pegasus Drone's Near 2-Hour Flight

Brisbane – September 30, 2026 -- The EATP Pegasus long endurance drone completed a nearly two-hour test flight covering more than 75 kilometres on a single Li-S Energy lithium sulfur battery pack, landing safely with battery capacity to spare.

Pegasus battery delivers 80% more range than comparable lithium polymer packs

On a same cell weight basis, Li-S Energy's 382 Wh lithium sulfur battery packs delivered 80% more range and flight time than an equivalent high-performance professional lithium polymer UAV battery pack, according to the company. The twin-motor, five-metre wingspan aircraft combines V-TOL Aerospace's airframe and power systems, Li-S Energy's battery packs and battery management system, and a perovskite solar array fabricated by Halocell Energy.

Virtus Solis, Brae Systems Sign First-Ever Space Solar PPA

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Virtus Solis, Brae Systems Sign First-Ever Space Solar PPA

Troy, Michigan and Chicago – September 30, 2026 -- Virtus Solis Technologies and Brae Systems have closed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement for space-based solar power, marking the world's first commercial orbital solar PPA and a multi-billion-dollar lifetime contract commitment.

Virtus Solis will deliver 100 MW of continuous orbital solar power to Brae's subsea GPU infrastructure

Under the deal, Virtus Solis will supply 100 MW of 24/7 baseload solar power, equivalent to 876,000 MWh annually, transmitted via a dedicated receiving station to be built in Illinois. Brae holds an option to expand capacity to 250 MW, or 2.19 million MWh annually, within three years of initial commercial operations.

CUJO AI Launches Tool to Pinpoint Proxy-Hijacked Home Devices

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CUJO AI Launches Tool to Pinpoint Proxy-Hijacked Home Devices

Los Angeles – September 30, 2026 -- CUJO AI has introduced a new network intelligence capability that identifies the exact device inside a subscriber's home being used as a residential proxy, closing a detection gap that previously left operators able only to flag suspicious IP addresses without knowing which device was compromised.

New tool pairs device-level detection with remediation guidance and real-time alerts

The capability runs at the home gateway, identifying which subscriber network is hosting proxy activity and pinpointing the specific device generating it. It classifies the activity type, such as ad fraud or malware, and delivers device-specific remediation steps alongside real-time notifications to operators.

AppZen Launches AI Agents to Automate Corporate Card Compliance

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AppZen Launches AI Agents to Automate Corporate Card Compliance

San Jose – September 30, 2026 -- AppZen has launched Autonomous Cards, an AI agent layer that automates compliance, monitoring and spend intelligence for enterprise corporate card programs, as commercial card volume in the U.S. hit $2.23 trillion in 2024, up 4.5% year-over-year, according to the Nilson Report.

AppZen deploys AI agents to process transactions without replacing existing card infrastructure

Autonomous Cards connects directly to companies' existing purchasing, virtual, fleet, ghost, and lodge card programs, keeping current banks and issuers intact while adding a unified AI and compliance layer. The system continuously monitors eligible transactions, using card data, merchant details, Level 3 detail, supporting documents and company policy to determine what was purchased and whether it complies with internal rules.

Servier Standardizes Data Across 80+ Countries With Veeva OpenData

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Servier Standardizes Data Across 80+ Countries With Veeva OpenData

Barcelona – September 30, 2026 -- Servier is standardizing customer reference data across more than 80 countries using Veeva OpenData, part of a global push to build an AI-ready data foundation for its commercial and medical teams.

Servier scales AI infrastructure after prior success with Veeva Link Key People

The French pharmaceutical company, governed by a Foundation, is harmonizing customer reference data globally to create a unified semantic layer that connects with Veeva Link. Liam Hanrahan, director of world operations excellence at Servier, said the move goes beyond process improvement, calling it the construction of a global data foundation designed to redefine how the company operates and scale AI across its affiliates.

Dar Global Revenue Jumps 66% to $258M as GDV Hits $23bn

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Dar Global Revenue Jumps 66% to $258M as GDV Hits $23bn

Riyadh – September 30, 2026 -- Dar Global, the London-listed luxury developer, posted a 66% revenue increase to US$258.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, up from US$155.4 million in HY 2025.

Net profit more than doubles as margins widen across the portfolio

Gross profit climbed 85% to US$87.7 million, lifting margins to 34% from 31% a year earlier. EBITDA rose 73% to US$46.3 million, while net profit surged 149% to US$30.4 million from US$12.2 million, driven by revenue recognition on The Astera, Interiors by Aston Martin, and Neptune, Interiors by Mouawad.

TrackVia Launches AI Layer IRIS, MCP Support, Rebuilt Android App

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TrackVia Launches AI Layer IRIS, MCP Support, Rebuilt Android App

Denver – September 30, 2026 -- TrackVia has expanded its Field Operations Intelligence platform with a new artificial intelligence layer called IRIS, enterprise AI connectivity, a rebuilt Android application and a modernized web interface, targeting organizations managing complex field operations across construction, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, education and government.

Skilled-trade labor shortage drives platform upgrade

An August 2026 Lightcast analysis found roughly three open skilled-trade jobs for every qualified worker available to fill them. TrackVia CEO Aylin Basom said the company is responding to that gap by investing across AI, mobility, user experience, integrations and enterprise readiness rather than adding a single AI feature.

Novo Nordisk: Wegovy Pill Switch Study Shows 8.8 lb Loss in 3 Months

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Novo Nordisk: Wegovy Pill Switch Study Shows 8.8 lb Loss in 3 Months

Plainsboro, New Jersey – – September 30, 2026 -- Adults with overweight or obesity who switched from injectable GLP-1 therapies to the oral Wegovy pill lost an average of 4.0 kg (8.8 lb) over three months, according to new real-world data from Novo Nordisk's OCTANE study presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Milan on September 30, 2026.

Patients switching to the oral formulation saw rapid weight-loss gains after three months

The retrospective analysis of 194 patients on the Ro telehealth platform found that 40.7% achieved weight loss of 5% or more within three months of switching from injectable semaglutide or tirzepatide to once-daily oral semaglutide (p0.001). The proportion of participants classified with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher fell by 21.6 percentage points, dropping from 87.1% at baseline to 65.5% at the three-month mark.

Ro, Novo Unveil First Real-World Data on Wegovy Pill Switch at EASD2026

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Ro, Novo Unveil First Real-World Data on Wegovy Pill Switch at EASD2026

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Direct-to-patient healthcare company Ro presented the first real-world evidence on Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy pill at the EASD2026 meeting in Milan on September 30, based on outcomes from patients on its platform who switched from an injectable GLP-1.

Ro's platform generates first clinical data on Wegovy pill switch patients

The short oral session study, co-authored by Ro clinical advisors Dr. Beverly Tchang and Dr. Louis Aronne, tracked patients with overweight or obesity who transitioned from an injectable GLP-1 and remained persistent with the Wegovy pill for three months on Ro's platform.

Astrocyte Raises $9.5M Series B as Concussion Drug Trial Completes Enrollment

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Astrocyte Raises $9.5M Series B as Concussion Drug Trial Completes Enrollment

Groton, Conn. – September 30, 2026 -- Astrocyte Pharmaceuticals Inc. has closed a $9.5 million Series B financing round to advance Phase 2 development of AST-004, its cerebroprotective therapy for concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke. The round brings total capital raised by the clinical-stage biotech, including grants, to $40 million.

DeepWork Capital leads financing with four new investors joining the round

The Series B was led by DeepWork Capital, with continued backing from existing investors and new participation from MintPharma Capital, Waterstar Capital, Dynagrow Capital and Angel Star Ventures. Jackson Streeter, M.D., Venture Partner at DeepWork Capital, said the firm has been impressed by the consistency of Astrocyte's science and the progress of its clinical programs.

Kenon to Pay $450M for 25% Stake in US District Energy Firm Vicinity

Singapore – – September 30, 2026 -- Kenon Holdings Ltd. has agreed to acquire a 25% equity interest in Vicinity District Energy for approximately $450 million, as part of a broader transaction valuing the company at $2.92 billion.

Antin Infrastructure Partners exits majority stake in $2.92 billion deal

The current owner, an entity related to Antin Infrastructure Partners, is selling a majority interest in Vicinity to a buyer jointly owned by Kenon and funds managed by Harrison Street Asset Management (HSAM). Under the Equity Purchase Agreement, the buyer will acquire between approximately 60% and 100% of Vicinity Holding Company. A consortium of lenders has committed non-recourse debt financing of up to $1.4 billion to fund part of the purchase price and future growth capital expenditures.

MEXC Tops SOL and DOGE Order Book Liquidity in CoinGecko 2026 CEX Study

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MEXC Tops SOL and DOGE Order Book Liquidity in CoinGecko 2026 CEX Study

Mutsamudu, Comoros – September 30, 2026 -- MEXC recorded the highest order book liquidity at market price for both SOL and DOGE among eight exchanges surveyed in CoinGecko Research's 2026 Crypto Liquidity on CEXes Report, which tracked the top five non-stablecoin assets over 60 days from July 6 to September 3, 2026.

MEXC posts $934,000 in SOL liquidity at market price, the study's top figure

CoinGecko found SOL liquidity more evenly distributed across venues in 2026 than the prior year, even as overall depth declined. MEXC held the lead at the immediate market price, though Bitget and Coinbase overtook it beyond the ±$0.20 range, indicating a more fragmented competitive field for SOL execution.

Epson Deploys 84 Laser Projectors for Anadol's AI Art Museum DATALAND

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Epson Deploys 84 Laser Projectors for Anadol's AI Art Museum DATALAND

Los Angeles – – September 30, 2026 -- Media artist Refik Anadol has installed 84 synchronized Epson EB-PQ2220B 4K laser projectors to power Gallery A of DATALAND, the world's first Museum of AI Arts, which opened in Los Angeles in June 2026.

Data Pavilion delivers nearly 700 million pixels across mirrored architecture

The installation, known as the Data Pavilion, combines 84 units of Epson's 20,000-lumen projectors to generate over 1.5 million lumens and nearly 700 million pixels, transforming walls, floors, ceilings and mirrored columns into a continuous canvas. Camera-assisted software calibrates, aligns and edge-blends all 84 projectors into a single unified image in real time.

AGILINK Robotic Hand Masters Silk Embroidery, Hits 15,000 Units Shipped

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AGILINK Robotic Hand Masters Silk Embroidery, Hits 15,000 Units Shipped

Suzhou – – September 30, 2026 -- Chinese robotics firm AGILINK has shipped more than 15,000 dexterous robotic hands since spinning out from AGIBOT in January 2026, a scale-up that coincides with a demonstration of its OmniHand 3 Ultra performing traditional Suzhou embroidery.

Master craftswoman trains robotic hand on silk-thread techniques

Fu Xianghong, a Suzhou embroidery master, taught the OmniHand 3 Ultra foundational stitching skills including separating silk threads, threading a needle, stretching fabric on an embroidery hoop and stitching. Silk thread bends, slips and changes shape with slight contact variation, requiring one finger to isolate strands while others maintain tension, and opposing fingertips to twist thread without losing grip.

Paladone WeCool Names Matthew Lauderbach Product Development Director

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Paladone WeCool Names Matthew Lauderbach Product Development Director

Point Pleasant, N.J. – September 30, 2026 -- Paladone WeCool has appointed Matthew Lauderbach as Product Development Director, bringing more than 25 years of toy design experience to the company's US operations.

Lauderbach brings leadership experience from Fisher-Price, Spin Master and Just Play

Lauderbach's career spans leadership roles at Fisher-Price, Spin Master, Skip Hop and Just Play, with expertise covering concept creation, design management, engineering and commercialization.

Executive says he was already a fan of the Compound Kings and iLY Sticker Maker lines

In his new role, Lauderbach said he had admired Paladone WeCool's product range prior to joining, citing the Compound Kings and iLY Sticker Maker product lines as examples of the company's approach to hands-on play.

Smart Shooter Wins JIATF-401 Contract Worth Up to $150M for Counter-Drone Systems

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Smart Shooter Wins JIATF-401 Contract Worth Up to $150M for Counter-Drone Systems

United States – – September 30, 2026 -- Smart Shooter has secured a new contract from the U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) under a framework valued at up to $150 million for future delivery orders, expanding the company's footprint in the U.S. counter-drone market.

Contract Supports Domestic Shield Program Against Drone Threats

The award backs JIATF-401's Domestic Shield Program and related global missions, covering force protection, base defense, and counter-UAS requirements both domestically and overseas. Scope includes hardware, software updates, training, and support services, with the volume and timing of future orders set through individual delivery orders.

EQT Foundation Funds €1M for 11 Brain Drug-Delivery Projects

Stockholm – – September 30, 2026 -- EQT Foundation has committed more than EUR 1 million to 11 research projects across 10 institutions aimed at solving one of neuroscience's most persistent commercial barriers: getting therapeutics past the blood-brain barrier and into the central nervous system.

Eleven projects target the blood-brain barrier from different scientific angles

The funded research spans engineered biological carriers, molecular shuttles, gene therapy vectors, nanoparticles and AI-designed delivery technologies. Institutions involved are located in the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States and Canada, with initial disease applications including brain cancer, ALS and rare genetic disorders.

Halfpricesoft Adds Mid-Year YTD Import to ezPaycheck Software

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Halfpricesoft Adds Mid-Year YTD Import to ezPaycheck Software

Redmond, Wash. – September 30, 2026 -- Halfpricesoft.com has added mid-year payroll accommodation features to its ezPaycheck software, allowing accountants and small businesses to move payroll in-house at any point in the calendar year without losing historical data.

ezPaycheck now imports year-to-date payroll history for mid-year switches

The update lets users input current-year tax and wage data directly, preserving accurate quarterly and annual reporting for businesses that previously relied on outsourced payroll providers. Halfpricesoft.com designed the feature for single-location businesses as well as multi-client accounting practices managing several payrolls simultaneously.

RBC Capital Markets Gains General Clearing Member Status at ECC

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RBC Capital Markets Gains General Clearing Member Status at ECC

London – – September 30, 2026 -- RBC Capital Markets has been awarded General Clearing Member (GCM) status by European Commodity Clearing AG (ECC), enabling the bank to clear and settle transactions on behalf of Non-Clearing Members across Europe's energy and commodity markets.

RBC gains authorization to clear power, gas and carbon products via EEX

As a General Clearing Member, RBC Capital Markets can now offer a full suite of clearing services covering power and gas futures and spot contracts, European Energy Exchange (EEX) carbon auctions, and a broader range of products across the wider EEX platform.

The status extends the bank's clearing reach to clients that include some of Europe's largest energy producers, utilities and financial institutions, according to the company.