The new index measures the performance of the top 20 mid-cap companies selected based on free-float market capitalisation. It is designed to offer concentrated exposure to leading mid-sized firms rather than the broader midcap universe.

According to the exchange, BSE will introduce cash-settled monthly index futures and monthly index options on the new benchmark. Contracts will expire on the last Thursday of the expiry month, in line with the standard monthly derivatives cycle.

The approval comes amid recent regulatory changes that have streamlined the derivatives framework. Following Sebi’s directives, exchanges now offer only one weekly expiry per exchange to curb excessive speculative activity and reduce concentration risk.

This has effectively reduced the number of weekly index options expiries available in the market, shifting greater focus to monthly contracts and select flagship indices.

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The launch of derivatives on a focused midcap index could attract traders and investors seeking targeted exposure to quality mid-sized companies, especially in a market where broader midcap indices have seen sharp swings.
By introducing a concentrated 20-stock midcap benchmark, BSE is positioning the product as a tactical tool for hedging and directional strategies linked to midcap performance, while adhering to the revised derivatives structure emphasising monthly expiries.

Stuart Ashman had been CEO of SkinBioTherapeutics since 2019, leading it through a period of growth including deals with high street retailers

The CEO of Newcastle healthcare innovator SkinBioTherapeutics has resigned as an investigation into his conduct was about to be launched.

Stuart Ashman, an experienced life sciences executive, was suspended by the Helix-based firm’s board as the company has brought in advisers to carry out an investigation into “matters relating to his conduct”. The move was announced to investors on the London Stock Exchange, though few details were given.

Non executive chairman Martin Hunt has become executive chairman temporarily. The company said: “He will be supported by the rest of the board and leadership team to provide business leadership and continuity. The company has instigated a search to find an interim CEO to appoint as soon as possible, and to find a new, permanent CEO for the longer term.”

Mr Ashman had been at the helm of SkinBioTherapeutics since 2019. He has led a period of significant growth, including partnerships with pharmaceuticals giant Croda and deals with major retailer Superdrug, which have seen the Newcastle firm’s products hit high street shelves.

At full year results published in December, Mr Ashman said he expected 2026 to bring further revenue growth having seen revenue rise from £1.2m to £4.6m and a narrowing of operating losses from £2.9m to £1.1m in the year to the end of June 2025.

SkinBioTherapeutics’ offer is based around its SkinBiotix technology which uses the microbiome – the range of microorganisms living within the human body – to promote wound healing and reduce the risk of infection. The business has also been acquisitive with Mr Ashman leading.

In early 2024 it bought Cambridgeshire’s Dermatonics Limited in a deal that was said to provide cost synergies as well as the potential for a future development platform for advanced topical creams and capsules. Later that year, it also acquired Yorkshire-based Bio-Tech Solutions Ltd (BTS) – a manufacturer and supplier of health, hygiene and personal care products – for £1.25m.

Mr Ashman was previously CEO at Finnish medical device company Onbone, and before that president and CEO of Andover Healthcare Inc, a US-based wound management manufacturer. He was also president and CEO of UK medical engineering business TI Group and has held roles at BSN Medical and Smith & Nephew.

As artificial intelligence changes how Americans do their jobs, a growing debate is unfolding in Washington over what it means for workers’ futures.

Congress has yet to pass sweeping AI legislation, but lawmakers are closely watching as the technology evolves at breakneck speed.

That urgency intensified this week after a viral X post from Matt Shumer, CEO of HyperWriteAI, racked up more than 75 million views and over 100,000 likes, warning of massive white-collar job disruption.

Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., says the concerns are worth discussing, but not panicking over.

“I think it’s something that’s healthy to talk about,” Obernolte told FOX Business. “The post says, fundamentally, we should be afraid because AI is going to be disruptive and there’s going to be a lot of job displacement – that is something we know to be true.”

INSIDE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S AI ‘TECH FORCE’ DESIGNED TO MODERNIZE THE GOVERNMENT

House Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., presided during a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Obernolte, the only member of Congress with a graduate-level degree in artificial intelligence – he earned his master’s degree from UCLA and has studied the field for more than three decades – also founded a video game development company.

But he sharply disagrees with the premise that AI will permanently shrink the workforce.

“The other thing that [the post] says is people are going to have fewer jobs as a result of artificial intelligence,” he said. “The historical record says that that is absolutely not true.”

Pointing to past technological revolutions, from the printing press to the internet, Obernolte argued innovation has always disrupted industries but ultimately created more jobs than it destroyed. He believes AI will follow the same pattern.

Still, he acknowledged that displacement is coming.

“There will be job displacement. We need to re-skill the workers that are in industries with that job displacement and equip them with the skills that they need to succeed in other industries,” he said, adding that “we are going to need a social safety net because there will be people that fall through the cracks.”

A growing debate is unfolding in Washington over what advancements in AI mean for workers’ futures. (Greggory DiSalvo/Getty Images)

Obernolte, who served as co-chair of the House Artificial Intelligence Task Force, noted the panel’s bipartisan 250-page report released in December 2024 laid out recommendations for workforce retraining and regulatory guardrails. But little of it has become law amid partisan gridlock and tight margins.

“It’s critical that we get passed this year a federal regulatory framework for AI that makes it clear where the state lanes for AI regulation are, where the federal lanes are, and where the two intersect,” he said.

“That’s something that is going to be critically important to make sure that everyone understands what the guardrails are, and to make certain that Americans have some safety protocols in place to protect themselves against the malicious use of AI.”

PHILADELPHIA MEN TRAVEL TO MINNEAPOLIS TO CARRY OUT $3.5M “FRAUD TOURISM” SCHEME: DOJ

And concerns about that malicious use are growing.

A Deloitte study predicted generative AI could help drive U.S. fraud losses as high as $40 billion next year.

Just this week, the Justice Department announced that two Pennsylvania men admitted to traveling to Minneapolis to defraud Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program, allegedly stealing roughly $3.5 million by using artificial intelligence to generate falsified records – what authorities described as “fraud tourism.”

“That is the biggest downside of AI: the way that it enhances the productivity of malicious human actors,” Obernolte warned, arguing that the government has a clear role in responding.

But not everyone on Capitol Hill shares his optimism.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., cautioned that the economic fallout could be severe if policymakers fail to prepare.

“I am deeply concerned about AI and what it’s going to mean when people go out one day for lunch and come back and their jobs aren’t there anymore, and that that happens to millions and millions of people. Now is the moment when we need to be preparing,” Warren told FOX Business.

ELON MUSK SLAMS ANTHROPIC AI IN SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Preparation, she argued, must include both guardrails on how AI is deployed and protections for families struggling with rising costs.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) questions witnesses during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing in the wake of recent bank failures, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., May 18, 2023. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

Pressed on what large-scale displacement could mean for the middle class, Warren – the ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee – issued a stark warning.

“We lost more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs last year,” she said. “If AI comes in on top of that and literally wipes out the income for millions of families, we’re going to see a full-blown crisis right here in this country. If you know the bad weather is threatening out there, now’s the time to prepare for it.”

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Despite those warnings, Obernolte remains bullish.

“AI will shortly be – if it’s not already – the most powerful tool for enhancing human productivity mankind has ever created,” he predicted, calling it a driver of economic growth and prosperity.

His advice for white-collar workers uneasy about the next five years?

“Get acquainted with AI,” he said. “Because if you get used to using AI… then you’re going to be more valuable than the people around you.”

Cha Jun-hwan has captivated the figure skating world at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a season-best short program that landed him sixth, setting the stage for a dramatic final. The 24-year-old South Korean phenom delivered a 92.72-point performance—highlighted by a quad Salchow and a triple Lutz-triple loop combination—positioning him as Korea’s best hope for a historic men’s podium finish. Here are 10 essential facts about the skater who is redefining Korean figure skating on the global stage.

1. Season-Best Short Program Ignites Olympic Hopes

Cha Jun-hwan opened his third Olympics with a personal season-best 92.72 in the short program at Milano’s Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 11, securing sixth place. His technical score of 50.08 and program components of 42.64 showcased precision under pressure. Despite ongoing boot and ankle challenges, Cha nailed a quad Salchow, a triple Lutz-triple loop combination, and a triple Axel.

The performance silenced doubters after a team event stumble and positioned Cha as Korea’s lone men’s medal threat. Skating to “Rain, In Your Black Eyes,” he exuded a maturity that earned high praise for musicality. A strong free skate could make him the first South Korean male figure skater to stand on an Olympic podium.

2. Three Straight Olympics: From PyeongChang to Milano

Milano Cortina marks Cha’s third Olympic appearance, representing a decade of growth. At the 2018 PyeongChang Games, a 16-year-old Cha placed 15th, gaining experience on home ice. Beijing 2022 saw him finish 5th overall—the best result ever for a South Korean man. Now in 2026, he returns as a veteran leader, carrying the expectations of a nation.

3. Historic Worlds Silver: A Milestone for Korean Men

Cha etched his name in the record books by winning Silver at the 2023 World Championships in Saitama. This was the first-ever medal for a Korean man at the event. That same year, he led South Korea to a historic Silver medal at the World Team Trophy, proving that Korean skating had become a global powerhouse in more than just the women’s discipline.

4. Technical Evolution: The Quad Threat

Cha revolutionized Korean skating as the first to land a clean quad in international competition. His technical arsenal features the quad Salchow and quad Toe Loop, complemented by Level 4 spins and footwork. While his 2026 Olympic strategy focused on stability due to injury, his ability to rack up high Grades of Execution (GOE) keeps him competitive with the world’s best “Quad Kings.”

5. Boot and Ankle Struggles: The “Ice Warrior”

The 2025–26 season has been a battle of resilience. Cha has struggled with persistent boot fit issues and chronic ankle pain, which forced him to simplify his jump layout for the Olympics. After a difficult team event where he struggled with his triple Axel, Cha took a brief rest to recover, declaring his condition “good” just before his individual short program triumph.

6. A Decade of Dominance: 10 Straight National Titles

Cha is the undisputed king of domestic skating, having secured his 10th consecutive South Korean National title in January 2026. He finished the competition with a total of 277.84 points, proving he remains miles ahead of his domestic rivals. This dominance allows him to use national events as a testing ground for the high-pressure international circuit.

7. Medals Across Every Major ISU Stage

Cha achieved a rare feat by medaling at almost every major international event before age 25. His trophy cabinet includes Four Continents Gold (2022), World Silver (2023), and Grand Prix Final Bronze (2018). He also holds a Junior Grand Prix Final bronze, marking him as the most consistent Korean male skater in history.

8. Record-Breaking Personal Bests

Cha’s benchmarks reflect a steady ascent. His short program personal best of 101.33 (set at the 2023 World Team Trophy) made him the first Korean man to break the 100-point barrier. His total score peak of over 280 points puts him in elite territory, allowing him to challenge for the podium even when he isn’t attempting the maximum number of quadruple jumps.

9. Military Service Exemption: The Harbin Victory

Unlike many South Korean athletes who face career interruptions, Cha Jun-hwan is exempt from mandatory military service. He earned this exemption by winning the Gold medal at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, where he defeated top Japanese rivals. This victory ensured he could focus entirely on his preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.

10. The Free Skate: Chasing the Dream

Entering the free skate in 6th place, Cha faced a 10-point gap to the medal zone. With a clean performance to his free skate music, “Balada para un Loco,” he aimed to eclipse his 5th-place finish from Beijing. Regardless of the final result, his presence in the final group of the world’s best skaters cements his legacy as the “Ice Prince” of South Korea.

Cha Jun-hwan Career Highlights

Tottenham Hotspur have reached a verbal agreement with former Juventus manager Igor Tudor to take over as interim head coach until the end of the season, turning to the hard-edged Croatian in a bid to arrest a dire run of form and avoid a relegation fight in the Premier League.

The 47-year-old ex-Croatia international defender, who has previously managed Juventus, Marseille and Lazio, will succeed Thomas Frank, who was dismissed on Wednesday following Spurs’ 2–1 home defeat to Newcastle United, their latest setback in a season that has spiraled alarmingly. Tottenham sit 16th in the table, five points above the drop zone, with just two wins in their last 17 league matches.

According to Sky Sports and multiple British outlets, Tudor has agreed a short-term deal running until June 2026, with no automatic option to extend, as the club plans a broader search for a permanent manager in the summer. He is expected to take training early next week, ahead of a high-stakes north London derby against league leaders Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Sunday.

Frank out, Tudor in: Spurs gamble on a firefighter

Frank’s dismissal came less than 24 hours after the loss to Newcastle, a result that intensified concern at board level over the trajectory of the season. Hired last year to bring stability and a clear identity, the former Brentford boss struggled to translate his methods to a bigger, more impatient club, with injuries, defensive lapses and blunt attacking displays compounding the slide.

Club executives Vinai Venkatesham, the new chief executive, and sporting director Johan Lange led the process to appoint an interim successor — their first major football decision since long-serving chairman Daniel Levy and co-sporting director Fabio Paratici departed, leaving Spurs without two of their most influential power brokers. After considering several candidates for a temporary role, including former Borussia Dortmund coaches Edin Terzic and Marco Rose, Tottenham moved decisively for Tudor on Thursday night.

Sources close to the talks stressed that the agreement with Tudor is strictly interim. The club intends to appoint a long-term head coach in the summer, with a number of high-profile names expected to enter the frame after this year’s World Cup, including a possible return for former Spurs manager and current U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Who is Igor Tudor? Ex-Juventus defender with a reputation for quick impact

Tudor enjoyed a distinguished playing career as a rugged central defender at Juventus, where he made over 100 appearances and won multiple Serie A titles and domestic cups. As a coach, he has built a reputation as an intense, tactically flexible manager willing to make bold structural changes to jolt underperforming teams.

His most high-profile recent spell came at Juventus, where he took over from Thiago Motta and guided the club to a fourth-place finish in Serie A and Champions League qualification before being dismissed in October after a poor early-season run. Prior to that, he had impressed at Olympique de Marseille with a high-energy, aggressive style that improved transitions and pressing, though he left at the end of the 2022–23 season citing fatigue and tensions around the club.

Analysts who have studied his teams describe Tudor as primarily defensive in structure but aggressive in mentality: he favors compact blocks, intense pressing triggers and a willingness to tweak formations game-to-game to exploit opponents’ weaknesses. A Total Football Analysis profile cited by Spurs blogs characterized him as “unafraid to implement bold tactical changes, often rejuvenating teams requiring new energy” and praised his ability to “improve balance between defense and offense” while motivating players.​

Those traits — defensive organization, immediate impact and emotional edge — align with Tottenham’s urgent needs. A once free-flowing attack has become stagnant, and the team has struggled to control matches or protect leads, leaving them exposed in transition and vulnerable at set pieces.

Relegation fears sharpen ahead of north London derby

Spurs’ current predicament is stark. With 12 league matches remaining, they have amassed just two wins in 17 and sit five points clear of the relegation zone, having slipped into a congested bottom half where a short bad run can prove fatal. If West Ham defeat Bournemouth this weekend, the gap could shrink to two points before Tottenham host Arsenal, raising the stakes even further.

Tudor’s immediate task will be to steady the defense and instill a structure that makes Spurs harder to beat. Internally, officials have suggested that survival is the primary objective, with informal benchmarks of roughly 11–12 points from the final 12 matches viewed as a successful return. Any push beyond safety — toward mid-table respectability or an unlikely European place — would be considered a bonus.

The north London derby offers both a brutal introduction and an opportunity. Arsenal arrive as league leaders and title contenders, eager to compound Spurs’ misery. A spirited performance, even in defeat, could buy Tudor goodwill among a fan base bruised by months of disappointment; a win or draw, particularly at home, would be a transformational early result.

No guarantee beyond June — but a chance to stake a claim

Reports indicate Tudor’s agreement does not include a built-in option for a permanent role, reflecting Spurs’ desire to conduct a full-scale managerial search this summer. However, club insiders have hinted that a strong run of results — especially an escape from the relegation scrap and a recognizable tactical identity — could put the Croatian in the conversation for the long-term job.

Journalist David Ornstein and others have reported that while Tudor is viewed as a short-term stabilizer, he is not entirely discounted as a future candidate. Much will depend on how players respond to his methods, how he navigates the pressures of the Premier League and whether he can coax improved performances from a squad that has underachieved relative to its wage bill and expectations.

New hierarchy under pressure after Levy exit

For Venkatesham and Lange, Tudor’s appointment is a first major test. With Daniel Levy’s decades-long tenure as executive chairman over and Fabio Paratici also gone, Spurs have lost some of the football-world connections that previously shaped their hiring and recruitment strategies. The new structure is under scrutiny from supporters and pundits already frustrated by years of managerial churn since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure in 2019.​

Since Pochettino’s Champions League final run, Tottenham have cycled through multiple head coaches — including Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo, Antonio Conte, Ange Postecoglou and now Thomas Frank — with no lasting stability or silverware. The choice of Tudor, a less glamorous but experienced firefighter, suggests a pragmatic reset focused on survival before any grander rebuild.

Tactics, squad and dressing room dynamics

Tudor inherits a squad lacking confidence and consistency. Tottenham’s attack has sputtered this season despite talent in forward positions, while defensive lapses and midfield imbalance have been recurring complaints among fans and analysts.

At previous clubs, Tudor has favored back-three systems (3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2) that emphasize wide overloads, aggressive wing-back play and compact central zones. Such setups could appeal at Spurs, who possess defenders and full-backs capable of adapting, but they may require rapid adjustments from players accustomed to different shapes under Frank and his predecessors.​

His reputation as a demanding trainer and straight-talking motivator may jolt some underperformers, but man-management will be critical in a dressing room that has experienced repeated regime changes and mixed messages.

Fans’ mixed reaction: Cautious hope, lingering skepticism

Early reaction from Spurs supporters has been mixed. Some fans, weary of high-profile appointments that fizzled, welcome Tudor’s reputation for immediate impact and defensive tightening. Others worry that another short-term solution postpones the structural overhaul they believe the club needs, particularly in recruitment and youth integration.

Spurs fan sites and podcasts have noted that if Tudor can make the team “hard to beat,” build a coherent defensive block and rediscover basic competitiveness, he will earn goodwill quickly. In a season where expectations have shrunk from top-four ambitions to simple survival, the bar for satisfaction has been reset.

Looking ahead: Survival first, then the summer reset

For now, Tottenham’s horizon is short. Tudor will fly back to Croatia to finalize arrangements, then return to London to take charge of training early next week. His first days will involve assessing fitness, clarifying roles and installing a simplified game plan ahead of Arsenal’s visit.​

Beyond that, the club’s leadership will continue work on a long-term strategy. The summer promises a crowded managerial market after the World Cup, with Spurs expected to sound out multiple candidates, including Pochettino and several leading European coaches. Recruitment plans, budget allocations and youth pathways will all factor into those discussions.

In the meantime, Tottenham have made their move: a seasoned, combative interim manager with a track record of short-term stabilization and bold tactical tweaks. Whether Igor Tudor can deliver the calm and points Spurs crave — and perhaps write a new chapter in his own career in north London — will become clear in the fraught weeks ahead.