The vision of the so-called internet of things - giving all sorts of physical things a digital makeover - has been years ahead of reality. But that gap is closing fast, according to Gartner, a research firm. Today, the range of things being computerized and connected to networks is stunning, from watches, appliances and clothing to cars, jet engines and factory equipment. Even roadways and farm fields are being upgraded with digital sensors. In the last two years, the number of internet-of-things devices in the world has surged nearly 70 percent to 6.4 billion, Gartner says. By 2020, the firm forecasts, the internet-of-things population will reach 20.8 billion.

A range of shipping organizations are putting pressure on the International Maritime Organization to act on air emissions ahead of the marine environmental committee meeting (MEPC 70) in late October. The meeting is scheduled to discuss policy measures for the shipping sector in terms of CO2 reduction and whether or not to postpone the global 0.5 percent sulfur cap planned for 2020.

A September survey by the Risk and Insurance Management Society found that 80 percent of the companies bought a stand-alone cybersecurity policy in 2016, suggesting policies covering exclusively cyber exposures may now be the norm for many large companies.

China's September exports fell 10 percent from a year earlier, while imports shrank 1.9 percent after picking up in August, suggesting signs of steadying in the world's second-largest economy may be short-lived.

More than a month after major Korean freighter line Hanjin shut down due to financial issues, the effects are still being felt by retailers in terms of shipment delays from Asia.