German startup SWARM Biotactics is developing 'cyborg' cockroaches that carry backpacks containing AI hardware and look like tiny tanks. SWARM made the bioelectronic insects using neural interfaces to remotely control live cockroaches, which can reach places humans and drones can't. NATO forces, including the German armed forces, are reportedly already field-testing the cockroaches.

Digital healthcare platform Practo has appointed CK Mishra, former Union Health Secretary, to its board of directors as an independent director. Founder and CEO of Practo Shashank ND said Mishra’s experience in building and governing large-scale systems would help Practo further strengthen itself. Mishra is a former IAS officer who held senior positions in key spheres before retiring in 2020.

Dream Sports, the parent company of fantasy gaming platform Dream11, has seen the departure of over 100 employees due to a recent restructuring triggered by government's real-money gaming ban last year. Reportedly, Dream Sports had split into eight startups, each with its own leaders, post the ban. Dream Sports said that around 700 employees were placed into these startups.

Chinese brain-computer interface (BCI) startup Gestala has raised $21.6 million (around ₹200 crore) within two months of its launch at a $100-200 million valuation, CEO Phoenix Peng told TechCrunch. This marks the largest early-stage funding round in China's BCI industry. Gestala is developing non-invasive, ultrasound-based BCIs and aims to complete its prototype by the end of 2026.

Netflix acquired InterPositive, an AI filmmaking firm co-founded by Oscar-winning actor and director Ben Affleck. The deal, announced on March 5, is valued at about $600 million, Bloomberg reported. Terming their AI approach as serving "needs of the creative community", Netflix Chief Product and Technology Officer Elizabeth Stone said, "Innovation should empower storytellers, not replace them."

AI-coding startup Replit said on Wednesday it raised $400 million in a Series D round at $9 billion valuation, with investors like Georgian, G Squared, Accenture, etc. This comes after Replit hit a $3 billion valuation in September 2025. "Replit is now used at 85% of Fortune 500," Founder and CEO Amjad Masad said in a post on X.

Meta announced on Wednesday that it's unveiling a range of new technologies and user alerts aimed at combating the problem of online scams on its platforms. On Facebook, Meta is testing alerts to limit suspicious friend requests. WhatsApp is launching new alerts designed to stop account takeover scams. Advanced AI-powered scam detection on Messenger is being expanded to more countries.

Hims & Hers Health Inc. stock jumped 14%, extending a week-long rally of over 73%, after Barclays said investors are underestimating growth from new products. The firm raised its price target to $29 as the company partnership with Novo Nordisk removes legal uncertainty and expands opportunities in weight-loss drugs.

German automaker Porsche said it plans to cut further jobs after posting a 91% year-over-year drop in profit for 2025. Around 2,000 temporary jobs have already been slashed. "We'll streamline our management structure...and cut back on bureaucracy," CEO Michael Leiters said. Profits were largely impacted by a writedown on reversing its electric car strategy amid a sales slump in China.

Papa John's (PZZA) stock surged 18% after a report that Qatari-backed Irth Capital Management submitted a take-private bid valued at $47 per share. The offer represents a 44% premium to Tuesday's closing price and values the pizza chain at about $1.5 billion. The Wall Street Journal cited sources familiar with the matter regarding the potential acquisition.