AIFintech

Finster AI Secures $15M Series A Funding to Expand Financial Research Platform

Finster AI has reportedly secured $15 million in Series A funding to expand its artificial intelligence research platform for financial institutions. The platform aims to help financial professionals unlock insights while maintaining strict controls over confidential information. Expansion plans include opening a New York office and growing its London headquarters.

Funding Announcement and Expansion Plans

Finster AI has reportedly raised $15 million in Series A funding to advance its artificial intelligence-native research platform designed specifically for financial institutions, according to recent reports. Sources indicate the funding round was led by FinTech Collective, with the capital intended to support significant expansion of the company’s operations.

Business

South Africa’s Leading Duty-Free Retailer Undergoes Major Ownership and Leadership Revamp

South Africa’s premier duty-free operator Big Five Duty Free has announced a substantial shareholder restructuring with Maponya Investment Holdings acquiring a major stake. The company simultaneously promoted Lloyd Mhlanga to CEO as it positions for accelerated growth across African travel retail markets.

Ownership Transformation at Big Five Duty Free

South Africa’s dominant duty-free retailer Big Five Duty Free is undergoing a significant corporate restructuring with the addition of a new major shareholder and appointment of a new chief executive officer, according to reports. The company, which operates primary outlets at Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban airports, has welcomed Maponya Investment Holdings (MIH) to its ownership structure while promoting eight-year general manager Lloyd Mhlanga to the CEO position.

CybersecuritySecurity

Suspected Chinese Cyber Espionage Group Targets European Telecom Infrastructure

Security analysts have identified what appears to be a sophisticated cyberespionage operation against a European telecommunications provider. The suspected Chinese-linked Salt Typhoon group exploited Citrix vulnerabilities to deploy backdoors and maintain stealthy network access according to recent findings.

European Telecommunications Provider Targeted in Sophisticated Cyberattack

Security researchers at Darktrace have identified what they assess to be a cyberespionage operation against a European telecommunications firm, with evidence pointing to the China-linked threat actor known as Salt Typhoon. According to their report, the intrusion occurred in early July 2025 and involved the exploitation of vulnerable Citrix NetScaler Gateway appliances to gain initial network access.