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Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have intercepted what they describe as organised, terrorist-linked cyberattacks aimed at government systems and critical national infrastructure, preventing attempts to disrupt essential digital services and infiltrate strategic networks. The UAE Cybersecurity Council said coordinated operations targeted state entities and vital sectors through ransomware deployment, phishing campaigns and network intrusion efforts. Officials characterised the incidents as part of a broader attempt to […]

Hungary has threatened to block the European Union’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia, escalating tensions within the bloc as Budapest links its support to the resumption of Russian oil deliveries. The warning underscores deep divisions in Brussels over how far to push punitive measures against Moscow while safeguarding member states’ energy security. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has indicated it could withhold approval for fresh restrictions […]

Advantest Corporation, a leading supplier of semiconductor testing equipment, has disclosed that a ransomware attack has disrupted parts of its internal network, prompting containment measures and raising concerns across the global chip supply chain. The Tokyo-listed company said it detected unauthorised access to its systems on 15 February Japan Standard Time and swiftly moved to isolate affected servers. Several internal systems were taken offline as a precaution […]

PayPal has disclosed a cybersecurity incident that left sensitive customer information accessible for almost six months, attributing the breach to a software error within its PayPal Working Capital loan application system. The payments company has begun notifying a limited number of affected users, warning that personally identifiable information linked to business loan applications may have been exposed online between late last year and mid-year. The company said […]

OpenClaw, a widely used open-source autonomous AI assistant, has pushed out version 2026.2.17 with expanded capabilities that include support for Anthropic’s latest Claude Sonnet 4.6 model and enhancements across messaging platforms and automation workflows. The update, made available by lead developer Peter Steinberger on February 17, 2026, was designed to address user demand for broader model integration and improved context handling, but it arrives as the software […]

New integration adds data-centric protection to Temenos Transact, streamlining compliance, secure modernization, and AI analytics.

WIESBADEN, GERMANY – EQS Newswire – 18 February 2026 – comforte AG, a global leader in data-centric security, and ITSS Global, a premier Temenos delivery partner, have announced a collaboration to help retail, commercial and private banks using Temenos Transact eliminate the risks associated with clear-text personally identifiable information (PII) and payment data across core banking systems and their connected environments.
As banks accelerate digital transformation and data-driven programs such as fraud prevention and AI, exposure of sensitive data across systems has become a growing concern. Regulators and industry standards worldwide are also raising the bar for how banks protect sensitive data and prove control across connected environments, including PCI DSS, privacy requirements, and resilience expectations. The comforte and ITSS collaboration addresses these challenges with a co-developed solution that extends data protection into Temenos Transact environments without complex customization.
Delivered by ITSS as part of its Temenos services, the integration leverages comforte’s TAMUNIO technology for centralized policy management, tokenization, and controlled de-tokenization, keeping sensitive data protected across environments while still supporting reporting, analytics, and downstream processing, including fraud detection workflows and AI-driven insights built on Transact data.

Turning Security into an Enabler
“The modern threat landscape demands a shift from securing systems to securing the data itself,” said Henning Horst, CTO at comforte. “Today’s regulators and auditors expect readable data to stay out of places it doesn’t belong. Together with ITSS, we help banks prove that control and move faster on analytics, fraud initiatives, and AI programs using protected data.”

Safe Implementation into Temenos Transact
“As banks modernize their Temenos environments, the real security challenge is no longer the perimeter. It is protecting sensitive data as it moves across core systems, analytics platforms, and the cloud,” said Somasundaram M, Regional Sales Director, MEA at ITSS. “Through our partnership with comforte, we enable Temenos clients to embed data-centric tokenization directly into their transformation journeys. This significantly reduces breach exposure, supports compliance with evolving regulatory mandates such as PCI DSS 4.0 and GDPR, and allows banks to adopt cloud, analytics, and AI-driven use cases without compromising data sovereignty or performance.”

To learn more or request a briefing, visit comforte.com. You can alsocontact us via email: [email protected] / [email protected].Hashtag: #comforteAG

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About comforte AG

comforte AG is a leading provider of data-centric security solutions that empower enterprises to protect sensitive information throughout its lifecycle while maintaining its usability for business operations. Headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, comforte is a trusted partner for global enterprises across various industries. The TAMUNIO data security platform automates the discovery, classification and protection of data within complex IT environments. With over 25 years of expertise, comforte safeguards data for over 300 global customers, including industry leaders like Visa and Mastercard, enabling them to drive digital transformation, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable growth with confidence.
For more information, visit comforte.com and follow comforte AG on LinkedIn.

About ITSS
ITSS Global is a Geneva-headquartered technology services and solutions provider with a presence in more than 25 strategic locations worldwide. Since 2001, ITSS Global has delivered best-in-class outcomes through deep banking expertise and strong technical capabilities, supporting organizations with end-to-end IT modernization and operational excellence. The company provides expertise across infrastructure, cybersecurity, and managed services—helping clients enhance performance, strengthen security, and scale with confidence.

A multi-certified Temenos partner, ITSS Global has supported 300+ clients globally as a system integrator across the full Temenos suite, while also delivering complementary solutions that extend and enhance the Temenos core—enabling future-ready banking transformation through cloud adaptability, AI enablement, and continuous innovation.

For more information, visit and follow ITSS on and .

Ripple has ranked ahead of Bitcoin and Ethereum in a global survey measuring emotional connection between consumers and cryptocurrency brands, underscoring how perception and trust are emerging as competitive factors in a volatile digital asset market. The San Francisco-based blockchain company placed fourth overall in MBLM’s Brand Intimacy Study for cryptocurrency projects, outperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum in the latest assessment of how strongly users feel bonded […]

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Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has begun rolling out facial recognition technology for notary transactions, marking a significant shift in how legal documents are verified and authenticated in the emirate. The first phase of the initiative, announced by the department, integrates biometric identification into selected notary services, enabling clients to complete procedures through digital platforms without the need for physical attendance. Officials describe the […]

Mozilla has issued an emergency update to its Firefox browser to address a critical heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the libvpx video codec library, urging users and organisations to apply the patch without delay. The fix, delivered through version 147.0.4 of Firefox and corresponding patches for the Extended Support Release branches, closes a flaw tracked as CVE-2026-2447 that could be exploited without user interaction on vulnerable builds […]

Anthropic has enabled its Claude artificial intelligence system to edit files directly within software development environments, marking a significant escalation in the race to build autonomous coding agents capable of handling complex engineering tasks with limited human intervention. The capability allows Claude to read, modify and write code across structured repositories, moving beyond code suggestions in chat windows to targeted alterations inside live projects. Developers can grant […]

PocketBlue, an open-source intelligence platform built for AI-driven research, is drawing growing interest among developers seeking greater control over how machine-assisted analysis is conducted. Hosted on GitHub and designed with a modular, local-first architecture, the project positions itself as an alternative to cloud-dependent research tools that rely heavily on proprietary models and opaque data pipelines. At its core, PocketBlue combines large language model orchestration with structured data […]

Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have been thrust into a privacy storm after two Harvard students demonstrated how the device can be modified to identify strangers in real time and pull up personal information, raising fresh concerns about how wearable technology intersects with facial recognition. The students, who detailed their experiment publicly, created a system they called I-XRAY, linking Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses to facial recognition software and […]

Microsoft has unveiled a new security feature in Windows 11 that fundamentally alters how administrator privileges operate on personal computers, signalling a decisive shift in the company’s approach to endpoint protection. The feature, known as Administrator Protection, removes persistent administrative rights from user accounts and replaces them with a tightly controlled, task-based elevation model. Instead of granting broad and continuous access to system-level controls, Windows 11 now […]

A wave of stress signs emerging across the global private credit market is prompting closer scrutiny from investors and analysts, with covenant defaults climbing, leverage rising and slowing earnings growth among private companies shaping the outlook for direct lenders and credit managers. Recent proprietary data from valuation specialists and market trackers show covenant default rates creeping higher compared with historical averages, while a combination of weaker cash […]

The Enforcement Directorate has formally placed Rajendra Lodha, a former board member of real estate firm Lodha Developers Ltd, under arrest in connection with allegations that he diverted and laundered corporate funds worth about Rs 85 crore, authorities said on Thursday. He was produced before a special court hearing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, where the agency secured custody to pursue its probe. Lodha, who had been in judicial custody since his arrest by the Crime Branch last year, will face a fresh remand before the ED court as the investigation intensifies.

Investigators allege Lodha, appointed to the company board in 2015 with authority limited to land acquisitions, abused his position by orchestrating a complex web of unauthorised transactions that siphoned funds and assets from the developer. The Enforcement Directorate’s case stems from a cheating and forgery complaint filed with Mumbai police under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which provided the predicate offence for the money-laundering inquiry.

The probe suggests that Lodha, in collusion with his son Sahil and several associates, manipulated company land and transferable development rights through shell entities and front companies. One scheme of alleged manipulation involved purchasing parcels of land through intermediaries and later reselling them to the company at inflated prices, creating financial losses estimated at more than Rs 85 crore.

Investigators also outline the use of fabricated memoranda of understanding to designate false possession holders, enabling the accused to divert company funds under the guise of legitimate land transactions. In one instance cited by authorities, a 4,150-square-metre plot in Panvel was reportedly sold to an entity linked to Lodha for a fraction of its market value, resulting in a direct loss of around Rs 9.5 crore to the developer.

The Enforcement Directorate’s action follows months of coordinated inquiry involving searches and forensic analysis. Teams previously executed search operations at multiple locations across Mumbai and the wider metropolitan region to trace the alleged proceeds of crime and associated assets. These raids, conducted in the latter part of last year, targeted residential and business premises of individuals connected to the case as well as intermediary firms suspected of facilitating fraudulent transfers.

Law enforcement documents indicate that the probe has unearthed evidence of cash withdrawals, benami transactions, and the misuse of corporate resources for private benefit, augmenting the central agency’s view that the alleged laundering extended beyond routine bookkeeping irregularities. Officials have emphasised that the investigation remains active, with further custodial interrogation intended to identify additional participants and recover assets linked to the alleged illicit gains.

The case traces its origins to a complaint lodged by Lodha Developers — which has since evolved into one of India’s largest property firms — after its internal audits flagged a series of suspicious transactions that could not be readily explained through normal corporate activity. Following the filing of the police complaint in 2025, the Crime Branch initiated its own investigation under charges including fraud, criminal breach of trust and conspiracy, leading to the initial detention of Lodha and others.

Statements obtained by police during the early stages of the inquiry, including witness accounts, have been cited as instrumental in mapping the pattern of alleged diversion of funds. One individual who worked in Lodha’s employ reportedly provided details of large cash movements, while digital evidence extracted from electronic devices is said to have helped establish links between the transactions and the accused associates.

Industry observers noted that the unfolding of events has prompted renewed scrutiny of governance and oversight mechanisms within major real estate developers. Corporate governance experts point out that the case underscores the importance of transparent land acquisition processes and robust checks on executive authority to safeguard shareholder interests. While Lodha Developers has not publicly commented on the specifics of the case, companies facing internal fraud investigations often review compliance systems to reassure investors and regulatory bodies.

Russia has moved to block WhatsApp across its territory, citing alleged breaches of domestic legislation, in a decision that signals a sharper turn towards state-aligned digital platforms and tighter control over online communications. Telecoms watchdog Roskomnadzor said access to the Meta-owned messaging service had been restricted following what officials described as repeated failures to comply with data localisation and content moderation rules. The regulator argued that foreign […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Child Digital Safety Council has held its first meeting, marking the start of a coordinated national drive to protect children online while supporting their cognitive and social development in an increasingly connected environment. Officials said the council will serve as a central platform to align regulatory oversight, policy design and public awareness campaigns under a single framework. The inaugural session brought together representatives […]

Security analysts have uncovered a network of 287 Google Chrome browser extensions that siphon off users’ browsing data and send it to external servers, collectively installed on roughly 37.4 million devices worldwide. The discovery has alarmed privacy advocates and highlights ongoing weaknesses in browser extension marketplaces that allow ostensibly benign add-ons to conduct intrusive data collection without clear disclosure. This emergent threat comes amid broader scrutiny of […]

Tokyo set a fresh milestone on Thursday as the Nikkei 225 Index briefly breached the 58,000 mark, propelled by confidence in a bold economic agenda from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government. Yet while equities and the yen have rallied, a sharper debate is unfolding across Japan’s financial markets over the sustainability of fiscal policy amid expansive spending commitments and tax relief measures that lack clearly defined funding sources.

Equity markets have responded robustly since Takaichi’s emphatic landslide in the general election on 8 February, with domestic shares climbing sharply on expectations of pro-growth fiscal measures aimed at bolstering consumption and strategic sector investment. The broader Topix index also advanced, and the yen strengthened against the dollar, reflecting a sense of reduced political risk now that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party holds a commanding super-majority in the lower house of parliament. Despite these gains, bond markets have registered heightened volatility, with Japanese Government Bond yields spiking at various maturities, signalling investor unease over Japan’s already elevated public debt levels and the scale of planned fiscal support.

Takaichi’s policy blueprint encompasses an array of measures long favoured by fiscal conservatives and economic nationalists alike, including a two-year suspension of the 8 per cent consumption tax on food items and expanded public investment across sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and defence. The Prime Minister frames these interventions as critical to ending what she terms “chronic underinvestment” and galvanising growth after decades of modest performance. Economists note that this approach echoes aspects of previous reflationary strategies such as “Abenomics”, with an emphasis on proactive government involvement in crisis-management and targeted growth stimulation.

While equities have responded positively, fixed-income markets have told a more cautious story. Yields on both short- and long-dated JGBs have climbed, reflecting market pricing in potential increases in government borrowing and inflation expectations should growth accelerate faster than anticipated. Some market participants fear that expansive fiscal operations without clear revenue offsets could elevate Japan’s risk premium, potentially triggering fresh volatility or sell-offs in debt markets should confidence ebb.

The so-called “Takaichi trade” has been a defining narrative across markets, capturing the dual dynamic of optimism in equity performance and trepidation around sovereign debt issuance and currency movements. Investors have been closely monitoring the Bank of Japan’s posture, as monetary authorities navigate between maintaining ultra-low interest rates to support economic activity and addressing inflationary pressures that can be exacerbated by a weaker yen. Signals from central bankers and government advisors suggest that rate adjustments could be considered to counter imported inflation, even as policy remains broadly accommodative.

Currency markets have mirrored these conflicting forces. The yen, which initially weakened against the dollar on expectations of aggressive fiscal support and prolonged monetary easing, has later shown episodes of strengthening as risk sentiment and intervention concerns have ebbed and flowed. Japan’s top currency diplomat has emphasised that authorities remain vigilant to exchange-rate volatility and are in close communication with international counterparts, reinforcing that the policy stance is not shifting toward overt market manipulation.

Analysts and investors are also paying attention to cross-border implications. The government faces pressure to deliver on substantial trans-Pacific investment pledges, which hinge on significant capital flows and corporate involvement in overseas projects. Japanese firms have expressed both interest and caution, as logistical and regulatory complexities weigh on decision-making. These external commitments add another layer of scrutiny to Takaichi’s broader economic narrative, which seeks to balance growth ambitions with geopolitical and fiscal credibility.

Within Japan, views on Takaichi’s approach are sharply divided. Supporters argue that decisive action is necessary to break longstanding cycles of low growth and demographic headwinds, positing that strategic tax relief and investment can catalyse domestic demand and technological competitiveness. Critics caution that without robust revenue strategies and prudent debt management, the fiscal trajectory may amplify structural risks rather than alleviate them. Central to this debate is the question of policy coordination: how fiscal expansion will align with monetary oversight and long-term debt sustainability while maintaining investor confidence and macroeconomic stability. New Zealand][7])

YZi Labs is carving out a niche in venture capital by backing ideas that remain largely theoretical, wagering on founders who are attempting to build products and platforms that do not yet exist. Speaking about the firm’s strategy, managing partner Ella Zhang says YZi Labs is guided less by market cycles and more by what she calls “first principles thinking” — a focus on fundamental technological shifts […]

Bitcoin has extended its downturn this week, showing little sign of sustainable recovery as selling pressure dominates trading activity and key technical support levels come under threat. The world’s largest cryptocurrency slid below the pivotal $70,000–$72,000 range and is testing lower thresholds that many traders identify as critical, with some models indicating potential further declines before major support is confirmed. Indicators across daily and weekly charts point […]

  • “Geopolitical Volatility” is a top five current and future risk, highlighting the growing instability across the region
  • 83 Percent of Firms Report Rising Insurable Risk Costs

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, has released the Japan findings of its 2025 Global Risk Management Survey. The survey reveals that Japanese businesses are navigating a complex landscape marked by persistent cyber threats, supply chain disruptions and weather/natural disasters. The survey, which gathered insights from nearly 3,000 risk managers, C-suite leaders and executives across 63 countries, highlights the unique risks Japan businesses are facing amid global disruption.

Japan’s Top Risks:

“Cyber Attacks/Data Breach” remains the top risk for Japanese businesses, consistent with global trends. “Supply chain or distribution failure” ranks second, as extreme weather events and mounting geopolitical volatility including shifting trade policies force companies to reassess their supply chains. In addition, “Product Liability/Recall” and “Exchange Rate Fluctuation” pose significant risks, reflecting the country’s manufacturing strength and exposure to global market volatility. Notably, 63.6 percent of Japanese respondents reported losses due to product liability or recall issues and 47.6 percent cited losses from exchange rate fluctuations.

Tatsuya Yamamoto, CEO of Japan at Aon, said, “Japanese organisations are operating in an environment of unprecedented complexity. Cyber, weather and geopolitical risks continue to be acute challenges for Japan businesses, underscoring the need for robust risk management frameworks and agile strategies. As market trends shift and competition intensifies, vigilance and adaptability will be key. The interconnectedness of risks – where a cyber attack can disrupt supply chains or geopolitical volatility can trigger regulatory changes – demands a holistic, proactive approach to resilience.”

2025 Top 10 Business Risks in Japan

  1. Cyber Attacks/Data Breach
  2. Supply Chain or Distribution Failure
  3. Weather/Natural Disasters
  4. Geopolitical Volatility
  5. Business Interruption
  6. Economic Slowdown/Slow Recovery
  7. Exchange Rate Fluctuation
  8. Commodity Price Risk/Scarcity of Materials
  9. Product Liability/Recall
  10. Failure to Attract or Retain Top Talent

Risk Management: Formalisation and Focus on Insurable Risks

Japanese organisations demonstrate a strong commitment to risk management, with 74.7 percent having a formal risk management and insurance department, compared to 68.4 percent globally. Additionally, 75.3 percent measure the total cost of insurable risk and 83.3 percent report that these costs are increasing. While risk awareness is rising, most organisations have yet to quantify their exposures or leverage advanced analytics.

Japanese Businesses Risk Management Assessments for Top Three Risks

For “Cyber Attacks/Data Breaches”:

  1. 27.2 percent have assessed the risk
  2. 12.6 percent have developed continuity plans
  3. 22.3 Percent have risk management plans

For “Supply Chain or Distribution Failure”:

  1. 25 percent have assessed the risk
  2. 20 percent have developed continuity plans
  3. 26.7 Percent have risk management plans

For “Weather/Natural Disasters”:

  1. 24.1 percent have assessed the risk
  2. 22.4 percent have developed continuity plans
  3. 13.8 percent have risk management plans

Future Risks: Rapidly Changing Market Trends and Geopolitical Volatility

Looking ahead, Japanese organisations expect “Weather/Natural Disasters” and “Geopolitical Volatility” to remain critical risks, alongside “Rapidly Changing Market Trends,” which is more prominent in Japan than globally. This highlights the country’s exposure to climate events and evolving consumer preferences.

Japan’s Top Five Future Business Risks by 2028:

  1. Cyber Attacks/Data Breach
  2. Weather/Natural Disasters
  3. Geopolitical Volatility
  4. Rapidly Changing Market Trends
  5. Increasing Competition

Shinichi Kandatsu, head of Commercial Risk Solutions for Japan at Aon, said, “Cyber and weather-related risks continue to lead the rankings as top concerns for Japanese businesses today and in the future, with geopolitical volatility also ranking among the top five risks across both periods. This trend reflects the growing instability across the region, with implications for supply chains, regulatory environments and financial performance. In today’s fast-moving market, leveraging advanced data analytics is essential for businesses to anticipate emerging risks, optimise risk capital and build resilience. The findings from Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey provide Japanese businesses with actionable information to benchmark their risk strategies and identify areas for improvement.”

To access the full report and explore how Aon is helping clients navigate today’s disruption dynamic, visit Global Risk Management Survey Japan

Hashtag: #Aon

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research.

Hundreds of thousands of users of AI aggregator OmniGPT have had their private conversations and uploaded files exposed after a large-scale data breach that security researchers say left sensitive information openly accessible and later circulated on dark web forums. The incident has intensified scrutiny of third-party platforms that bundle access to multiple AI models while handling large volumes of personal data. Investigations by independent cybersecurity analysts indicate […]

Buckingham Palace has said it stands ready to support any police inquiry into the Duke of York after disclosures raised questions about whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential United Kingdom trade material with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The statement, issued on Monday, underscored the Royal Household’s position that it will cooperate fully should investigators seek assistance. The Palace said it would “support any appropriate investigation” in line […]

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