-- Yamaichi Electronics (TYO:6941) said servers at its Philippine subsidiary were hit by a ransomware attack, with investigations and recovery efforts underway, according to a Wednesday filing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
The company said it is working with external experts to restore systems and assess the scope and cause of the incident. It is also evaluating the potential impact on its consolidated earnings.
Datavault AI (DVLT) said Wednesday it has received a US patent and notices of allowance for two additional patent applications.The issued patent covers a platform for data valuation and secure commercial monetization, the company said.The notices of allowance cover technologies for funding, authentication and tokenized operation of virtual locations, and for automated tax return preparation for clients and employees, Datavault AI said.Shares of the company were over 4% higher in Wednesday trading.Price: $0.75, Change: $+0.03, Percent Change: +4.44%
The UK government strengthened the powers of energy regulator Ofgem under sweeping reforms announced in a statement on Wednesday, aimed at improving consumer protections and holding suppliers more accountable, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero said.The changes mark the first major update to Ofgem's remit since its creation in 2000 and are designed to reflect a more complex energy market, where consumers face a wider range of products and services, some of which are subject to limited regulatory oversight.Under the overhaul, Ofgem will be granted authority to enforce consumer law directly, removing the need for lengthy court proceedings to secure compensation when customers are treated unfairly. The regulator will also gain new powers to penalize company executives, including the ability to ban bonuses where firms breach rules.The reforms will refocus Ofgem's mandate on economic regulation and consumer protection, while expanding its ability to intervene in emerging or lightly regulated market areas.The government said the changes would enable Ofgem to act as a "true consumer champion," ensuring fair treatment across the sector and adapting to evolving market conditions.The move comes as concerns grow over gaps in regulation affecting certain groups, including heating oil customers, who have faced price spikes following the Middle East conflict. In response, the government recently announced more than 50 million British pounds ($67.6 million) in support for low-income households reliant on heating oil and pledged to introduce additional protections.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the reforms would strengthen safeguards for billpayers and ensure tougher enforcement against companies that fail to meet standards."This government is fighting people's corner, and today we set out steps to strengthen protections for energy consumers," he said, adding that measures include banning bonuses for companies that break the rules.Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said the overhaul would deliver a fairer deal for households."Every household must be given a fair deal, and today we transform our energy regulator to give families stronger protections," he said. "We're giving Ofgem stronger powers to fight consumers' corner and introducing new measures so they can hold energy executives to account."The government said the reforms are part of a broader effort to modernize energy market regulation and ensure protections keep pace with changes in how consumers access and use energy.
US-Iran talks could resume within 36 to 72 hours, with President Donald Trump saying a breakthrough is possible, the New York Post reported Wednesday.Trump, responding to the New York Post in a text message, said, "It's possible," when asked about imminent talks.Sources from Islamabad also pointed to a 36-72 hour window for progress, the report said.The update follows Trump's decision on Tuesday to prolong the ceasefire, saying it would stay in place until Iran delivers a "unified proposal" to move talks forward.Diplomatic engagement with Tehran has accelerated, with the timeline reflecting ongoing back-channel efforts to restart negotiations between Washington and Iran, the Post added, citing a Pakistani source.The source said that the ceasefire remains intact despite rising rhetoric, noting neither side has escalated militarily, signaling a degree of restraint from both parties.The source said Pakistan continues to serve as a central intermediary in facilitating dialogue, according to the report.The White House and Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to' requests for comments.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)