KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Itron Inc, an intelligent infrastructure provider for modern energy and water management, has announced the availability of its grid edge portfolio, including Itron Riva S and Itron Riva T IEC electricity meters, for utilities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
As the first Itron Gen6 network platform devices available in APAC, the launch marks a significant milestone in its expansion of Grid Edge Intelligence in the region, according to the company in a statement.
Itron senior vice president of Networked Solutions, John Marcolini said the launch was an important step in helping utilities translate awareness into action, with an interoperable and modular architecture designed to preserve technology choice and expand value over time.
The Itron Riva meters provide utilities with a practical starting point to improve visibility across the low-voltage network and respond to the growing impact of distributed energy resources (DERs) with advanced intelligence over time.
Serving as both grid sensors and DER control points, the meters provide utilities with real-time visibility into grid conditions, enabling earlier identification of emerging network faults and constraints, proactive management of growing DERs across the low-voltage network, and optimisation of operational and capital budget allocation.
By extending sensing and intelligence to the grid edge, the Itron Riva meters allow utilities to begin with advanced metering and localised grid awareness and seamlessly expand to distributed intelligence (DI) applications as operational needs evolve, improving grid reliability, resilience and efficiency.
The meters also extend visibility beyond energy consumption data, helping utilities detect voltage fluctuations, transformer loading issues, emerging faults and other network conditions through high-frequency sensing and edge computing capabilities.
Built on open DLMS/COSEM standards and designed to meet International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) requirements, the meters help utilities modernise their infrastructure while maintaining flexibility to integrate with existing and future technologies.
The Itron Riva IEC electricity meter is initially available in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and is expected to expand to additional APAC countries, helping utilities modernise grid operations and respond to growing network complexity across the region.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
World Off-Track on Nearly Every Food System Goal – Latest Assessment Reveals
Geneva, Washington DC, Sep. 23, 2026 /AgilityPR-AsiaNet/--
The 2026 Food Systems Countdown analysis reveals that progress is too slow and insufficient to meet 2030 goals, but 2050 could still be achievable, provided actions are consistent and accelerated.
The latest study from the Food Systems Countdown Initiative (FSCI) reveals the stark reality of where global food systems transformation stands – for most indicators on health, environment, livelihoods, governance and resilience, a vast majority of countries will not meet the internationally agreed 2030 goals. And for some indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions from food systems, no country in the world is projected to meet the target.
The study, published in Nature Food , represents the most comprehensive performance assessment of food systems to date, covering 197 countries and 44 indicators across five themes: diets, nutrition and health; environment, natural resources and production; livelihoods, poverty and equity; governance; and resilience. And for the first time, the study goes beyond tracking trends to assess progress and measure how food systems are actually performing, and how much more needs to improve to meet globally set targets.
“What makes this Countdown paper different is that it doesn't just tell countries whether they're moving in the right direction — it tells them how far they still have to go, and against a benchmark that's actually within reach. That distinction between tracking trends and measuring performance is what turns a monitoring exercise into a tool for accountability,” said Dr. Bianca Carducci, lead author.
Key Findings:
• The study finds that, of 30 indicators, only one — mobile phone subscriptions, a proxy for connectedness and resilience — has been met by most countries. For 22 indicators, fewer than one third of countries will meet their global target or benchmark by 2030.
• The indicator ‘greenhouse gas emissions from food systems’ has one of the largest gaps, with the global average 75% away from the target. No country in the world will meet the target at its current pace.
Most regions of the world would need dramatic annual changes to achieve 2030 targets. For example, Africa will require at least a 15-20% improvement across 23 indicators every single year, and Asia will have to cut food insecurity by over 63% every year. High-income regions are not exempt. In Europe, 19 indicators remain unattainable by 2030. The analysis also shows that some indicators are moving in the wrong direction, notably civil society participation, governmental accountability, ultra-processed food sales, agricultural water withdrawal, pesticide use and changes in emissions from food systems.
“Accountability for food systems transformation requires accelerated progress — without it, efforts risk becoming performative rather than transformative. We can no longer afford to continue at the present pace,” said Dr. Mario Herrero, Professor, Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, Cornell University.
Bright Spots Offer Hope
Despite the sobering picture for 2030, the study is not entirely bleak. For 7 of 33 indicators, at least a third of countries are already on track to meet the 2030 target. And half the indicators have been moving in a desirable direction at the global level. The study also offers the pace at which changes are required to achieve the targets by 2050, making progress feel achievable rather than impossible.
In some cases, regional and income benchmarks provide more realistic milestones that can motivate countries. For example, on average African countries are 58.7% away from the global benchmark for affordability of a healthy diet, but that gap narrows to 32.2% when measured against a regional benchmark set by the average of the top fifth of African countries.
“Bold global targets are vital for inspiring ambition. But they can become a source of inertia if they seem permanently out of reach. Therefore, regional and income-group benchmarks keep progress within sight and help identify the exemplar countries that can show others how it is achievable,” said Dr. Jessica Fanzo, James Anderson Professor of Food Policy and Climate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Europe.
Urgent Call to Accelerate Action
The study highlights the urgent need for accelerated action across all indicators. Priority actions should focus on indicators where progress is most off track, like food affordability, food insecurity, government effectiveness and food systems emissions. Food systems emissions change will require annual reductions exceeding 60%, which is challenging even for 2050.
“Food systems transformation is a shared responsibility. The governance indicators including government effectiveness, accountability and civil society participation are not just one category among five. They are the enablers. Improving them unlocks progress across the entire system,” said Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.
Improving government effectiveness and accountability are the critical leverage points that interact with the largest number of indicators. However, the urgent need for transformation involves more concerted, creative and accelerated action from the global community that must recommit to achieving these targets by 2050, especially for those most vulnerable.
“The kind of comprehensive assessment that this Countdown study provides is critical for governments and all other partners to set priorities, direct investments and resources, and draft and redraft policies. Our global food systems demand urgent, decisive action — starting now,” said Dr. José Rosero Moncayo, Chief Statistician and Director of the Statistics Division, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The 2026 Food Systems Countdown analysis gives every country a mirror, as well as a signpost for what needs to be done, in which direction and at what pace. The world owes it to the billions whose livelihoods depend on food systems, and the billions more who cannot afford a healthy diet, to act now, and to act fast.
WEBINAR:
The findings of the report will be presented at a Webinar, including a Q&A with the FSCI researchers.
Register Free -
https://gainhealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VzrB_-YjREGaXAzXNN5xPw#/registration
Date: September 25 th , 2026, Time: 9:30-10:30 Eastern Time.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For interview requests and/or enquiries regarding the 2026 Countdown study and report, please contact:
T Sam Kaiser, Media & Communications Manager
Email: tkaiser@gainhealth.org
Phone: +91 96771 33877
Christopher Emsden, FAO News and Media (Rome)
Email: christopher.emsden@fao.org
Phone: (+39) 06 570 53291
Full report: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/ce0778en
Summary: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/ce0482en
Nature Food article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-026-01379-0
About the study:
The study, “Food Systems Performance Evaluated Against Targets and Benchmarks Reveals Urgent Gaps and a Path to 2050,” and accompanying report, “The Food Systems Countdown Report 2026: Assessing Performance, Driving Change,” is available at www.foodcountdown.org. Country-level data and profiles are accessible through the Food Systems Dashboard. Code is available on GitHub (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).
About the Countdown:
The Food Systems Countdown Initiative (FSCI) is a global interdisciplinary research collaboration co-led by Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. It produces annual monitoring reports and a country-level data platform to support evidence-based policymaking and accountability for food systems transformation.
Source: The Food Systems Countdown Initiative
--BERNAMA
Friday, September 18, 2026
BEACON ACCELERATES AI DEPLOYMENT WITH HAIZE LABS ACQUISITION
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Beacon Software (Beacon), the first centralised artificial intelligence (AI) holding company, has acquired Haize Labs, an AI reliability company testing and safeguarding AI agents for real-world deployment.
The Haize Labs team will join Beacon to form its Applied AI Research Group, with its co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Leonard Tang, joining as vice president of AI Research to lead the AI operating system deployed across Beacon’s companies.
“Haize Labs brings exceptional engineers to Beacon who know how to find where AI fails and make it better. Together, we will build AI our customers can count on, in the software they already use and trust,” said Beacon founder and CEO, Nilam Ganenthiran in a statement.
Meanwhile, Tang said: “Haize Labs was founded with the mission of building AI that any business can depend on. Now, our work will be put directly to use for Beacon’s broad and growing portfolio of essential businesses.”
Beacon said it believes that the fastest way to bring AI to the traditional economy is through the software businesses that essential industries already use and trust, equipping them with AI infrastructure.
The company acquires these businesses for long-term growth and connects them to a centralised AI operating system that compounds with each additional acquisition and industry.
The addition of the Haize Labs team will strengthen this centralised technology platform, which provides shared engineering, AI, product and go-to-market capabilities to Beacon’s portfolio of 45 software companies with customers across recreation, utilities, education, government, manufacturing and other essential industries.
Key focuses for Beacon’s new Applied AI Research Group include creating reusable AI infrastructure that compounds across its portfolio without erasing the local context of each company and translating domain expertise into evaluation and feedback systems that define what good looks like in each business.
In addition, the group will build continuous testing, red teaming and observability for AI agents before and after deployment, as well as develop AI products that reduce administrative burden, improve customer service and help portfolio businesses grow.
-- BERNAMA
The Haize Labs team will join Beacon to form its Applied AI Research Group, with its co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Leonard Tang, joining as vice president of AI Research to lead the AI operating system deployed across Beacon’s companies.
“Haize Labs brings exceptional engineers to Beacon who know how to find where AI fails and make it better. Together, we will build AI our customers can count on, in the software they already use and trust,” said Beacon founder and CEO, Nilam Ganenthiran in a statement.
Meanwhile, Tang said: “Haize Labs was founded with the mission of building AI that any business can depend on. Now, our work will be put directly to use for Beacon’s broad and growing portfolio of essential businesses.”
Beacon said it believes that the fastest way to bring AI to the traditional economy is through the software businesses that essential industries already use and trust, equipping them with AI infrastructure.
The company acquires these businesses for long-term growth and connects them to a centralised AI operating system that compounds with each additional acquisition and industry.
The addition of the Haize Labs team will strengthen this centralised technology platform, which provides shared engineering, AI, product and go-to-market capabilities to Beacon’s portfolio of 45 software companies with customers across recreation, utilities, education, government, manufacturing and other essential industries.
Key focuses for Beacon’s new Applied AI Research Group include creating reusable AI infrastructure that compounds across its portfolio without erasing the local context of each company and translating domain expertise into evaluation and feedback systems that define what good looks like in each business.
In addition, the group will build continuous testing, red teaming and observability for AI agents before and after deployment, as well as develop AI products that reduce administrative burden, improve customer service and help portfolio businesses grow.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, September 17, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TOPS ASIA IN GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY - OAG
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) ranked fourth globally and first among all Asian airports in OAG’s Megahubs 2026 ranking, with connections to 154 destinations, while also topping the Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Megahubs index with nearly 15,000 possible low-cost connections.
OAG, the intelligence partner for global travel, said its annual ranking of global airport connectivity showed Asia Pacific (APAC) dominating the index, with eight airports in the global top 20.
According to OAG in a statement, AirAsia operates 34 per cent of total flights at KUL, while Seoul Incheon ranked second in the LCC rankings with connectivity reaching 198 destinations.
The recovery of Chinese airports was another standout feature in APAC, with Shanghai Pudong rising from 19th to 14th globally, Guangzhou Baiyun International from 36th to 19th, and Hong Kong returning to the global top 20 at 20th. Tokyo Haneda also improved, rising from ninth to eighth globally.
“The Asia Pacific numbers tell two stories this year. The first is the completion of Chinese aviation's post-pandemic recovery; these airports are back in the top 20, and the data shows it.
“The second is how low-cost carriers have reshaped Southeast Asian connectivity, with 51 per cent of all seats in the region now operated by LCCs, well above the global average,” said OAG Head of APAC, Mayur Patel.
OAG added that Singapore Changi climbed significantly in the LCC rankings, from 10th to fifth, reflecting growth in destinations served and potential low-cost connections, while Fukuoka rose from 13th to eighth in the LCC index.
The average dominant carrier share at APAC’s top 10 airports is 33 per cent, lower than in most other regions, reflecting the diverse mix of full-service and low-cost carriers serving different traveller segments across Southeast and Northeast Asia.
-- BERNAMA
OAG, the intelligence partner for global travel, said its annual ranking of global airport connectivity showed Asia Pacific (APAC) dominating the index, with eight airports in the global top 20.
According to OAG in a statement, AirAsia operates 34 per cent of total flights at KUL, while Seoul Incheon ranked second in the LCC rankings with connectivity reaching 198 destinations.
The recovery of Chinese airports was another standout feature in APAC, with Shanghai Pudong rising from 19th to 14th globally, Guangzhou Baiyun International from 36th to 19th, and Hong Kong returning to the global top 20 at 20th. Tokyo Haneda also improved, rising from ninth to eighth globally.
“The Asia Pacific numbers tell two stories this year. The first is the completion of Chinese aviation's post-pandemic recovery; these airports are back in the top 20, and the data shows it.
“The second is how low-cost carriers have reshaped Southeast Asian connectivity, with 51 per cent of all seats in the region now operated by LCCs, well above the global average,” said OAG Head of APAC, Mayur Patel.
OAG added that Singapore Changi climbed significantly in the LCC rankings, from 10th to fifth, reflecting growth in destinations served and potential low-cost connections, while Fukuoka rose from 13th to eighth in the LCC index.
The average dominant carrier share at APAC’s top 10 airports is 33 per cent, lower than in most other regions, reflecting the diverse mix of full-service and low-cost carriers serving different traveller segments across Southeast and Northeast Asia.
-- BERNAMA
LRN LAUNCHES COMPLIANCE POLICY MANAGEMENT SOLUTION
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- LRN Corporation, a global provider of ethics and compliance solutions, has launched Catalyst Policy, a compliance policy management solution integrated into LRN Catalyst platform.
In a statement, the company said Catalyst Policy enables organisations to manage policy creation, communication and adoption across geographies, languages and regulatory requirements, as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes governance, risk and compliance requirements.
The solution was developed based on LRN’s work with clients managing global policy governance, including collaboration with Howden Group, a global insurance intermediary. The partnership drew on Howden’s experience in building compliance programmes and ethical cultures.
LRN Chief Executive Officer, Bob Lemmond said Howden’s experience had helped shape Catalyst Policy around the needs of global ethics and compliance teams.
Meanwhile, Howden Group Head of Compliance, Ian Jacob said effective policy lifecycle management was essential to reducing risk, meeting regulatory obligations and ensuring employees understood workplace conduct expectations.
LRN said organisations face growing policy complexity as regulatory requirements, business risks and the deployment of AI-related policies and governance continue to expand, increasing the need for clear oversight, accountability and audit readiness.
Catalyst Policy enables organisations to manage policies through a centralised model, replacing fragmented repositories and manual review and translation processes. Its features include in-platform redlining and track changes such as AI-assisted translations with human review; scoped access for external auditors and reviewers; and evergreen links and an immutable repository.
The solution also connects policy governance with attestations, training, policy access, analytics and behavioural insights within the LRN Catalyst platform.
LRN said its research on ethics and compliance programme effectiveness shows that high-impact programmes integrate data and analytics across ethics and compliance initiatives into day-to-day management. Catalyst Policy forms part of the company’s broader approach to connected governance, behavioural insights and data-driven compliance management.
-- BERNAMA
In a statement, the company said Catalyst Policy enables organisations to manage policy creation, communication and adoption across geographies, languages and regulatory requirements, as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes governance, risk and compliance requirements.
The solution was developed based on LRN’s work with clients managing global policy governance, including collaboration with Howden Group, a global insurance intermediary. The partnership drew on Howden’s experience in building compliance programmes and ethical cultures.
LRN Chief Executive Officer, Bob Lemmond said Howden’s experience had helped shape Catalyst Policy around the needs of global ethics and compliance teams.
Meanwhile, Howden Group Head of Compliance, Ian Jacob said effective policy lifecycle management was essential to reducing risk, meeting regulatory obligations and ensuring employees understood workplace conduct expectations.
LRN said organisations face growing policy complexity as regulatory requirements, business risks and the deployment of AI-related policies and governance continue to expand, increasing the need for clear oversight, accountability and audit readiness.
Catalyst Policy enables organisations to manage policies through a centralised model, replacing fragmented repositories and manual review and translation processes. Its features include in-platform redlining and track changes such as AI-assisted translations with human review; scoped access for external auditors and reviewers; and evergreen links and an immutable repository.
The solution also connects policy governance with attestations, training, policy access, analytics and behavioural insights within the LRN Catalyst platform.
LRN said its research on ethics and compliance programme effectiveness shows that high-impact programmes integrate data and analytics across ethics and compliance initiatives into day-to-day management. Catalyst Policy forms part of the company’s broader approach to connected governance, behavioural insights and data-driven compliance management.
-- BERNAMA
UNIVAR SOLUTIONS LISTED IN TIME’S BEST COMPANIES FOR FUTURE LEADERS 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Univar Solutions LLC (Univar Solutions), a global solutions provider to users of speciality ingredients and chemicals, has been recognised on TIME’s distinguished list of Best Companies for Future Leaders 2026.
Presented in partnership with Statista, an industry data and rankings provider, TIME’s Best Companies for Future Leaders ranking highlights businesses and organisations across the United States that have contributed meaningfully to the journeys of the country's most influential leaders.
Univar Solutions Chief Legal and Administrative Officer Alexandra Colin said the recognition reflects the company’s commitment to building a culture where people can grow, contribute and lead.
“Our success is driven by talented employees who are empowered to make an impact for our customers, communities, and industry, and we are proud to invest in programmes and opportunities that enable our people to develop their careers while advancing our purpose of helping keep communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe,” added Colin in a statement.
Meanwhile, Univar Solutions Chief Human Resources Officer, Ingredients + Specialties, Lamiya Mammadova said the recognition highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to cultivating talent, fostering innovation and creating an environment where people can thrive and achieve their full potential.
This year’s ranking is the result of an extensive analysis of approximately 4,900 leaders from a wide array of fields, including business, government, science, arts and activism. Organisations were recognised for the unique opportunities and impactful professional experiences they provide.
-- BERNAMA
Presented in partnership with Statista, an industry data and rankings provider, TIME’s Best Companies for Future Leaders ranking highlights businesses and organisations across the United States that have contributed meaningfully to the journeys of the country's most influential leaders.
Univar Solutions Chief Legal and Administrative Officer Alexandra Colin said the recognition reflects the company’s commitment to building a culture where people can grow, contribute and lead.
“Our success is driven by talented employees who are empowered to make an impact for our customers, communities, and industry, and we are proud to invest in programmes and opportunities that enable our people to develop their careers while advancing our purpose of helping keep communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe,” added Colin in a statement.
Meanwhile, Univar Solutions Chief Human Resources Officer, Ingredients + Specialties, Lamiya Mammadova said the recognition highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to cultivating talent, fostering innovation and creating an environment where people can thrive and achieve their full potential.
This year’s ranking is the result of an extensive analysis of approximately 4,900 leaders from a wide array of fields, including business, government, science, arts and activism. Organisations were recognised for the unique opportunities and impactful professional experiences they provide.
-- BERNAMA
JUMIO EXPANDS REUSABLE IDENTITY SOLUTION IN APAC
 |
| Jumio Extends True Reusable Identity to APAC with selfie.DONE™, Powered by Global Identity Graph |
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Jumio, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered identity intelligence provider, has launched its reusable identity solution, selfie.DONE, across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region as part of its global rollout.
The company said the solution enables businesses to recognise enrolled users through a selfie without requiring an identity document at the start of every onboarding process, with document verification retained for users who cannot be confidently recognised or present elevated risk.
Jumio president and chief product and technology officer, Bala Kumar said the APAC launch marked a shift from point-in-time verification towards continuous identity intelligence, enabling organisations to recognise trusted users while maintaining appropriate risk and compliance controls.
In a statement, the company said deployments of selfie.DONE have recorded a 20 per cent increase in verification completion rates, with up to 60 per cent of users completing verification without submitting an identity document.
Unlike identity wallets or networks limited to affiliated businesses, Jumio said its solution uses a global identity graph containing over 75 million legitimate and fraudulent identities, which grows by approximately 85,000 identities daily.
The company said the connected identity intelligence enables businesses to recognise users previously verified elsewhere while conducting fresh risk assessments for each transaction.
Selfie.DONE is being introduced in APAC following launches in Latin America and North America. Jumio said the solution is aimed at organisations including financial services firms, gaming platforms and sharing-economy businesses.
Jumio said the APAC expansion comes as companies in the region explore more streamlined know-your-customer (KYC) processes and seek to reduce onboarding friction while meeting regulatory requirements.
Nimbura, a Malaysia-based licensed digital lender, said the technology could help improve customer conversion in digital lending while maintaining security and compliance.
-- BERNAMA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)