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
Friday, September 18, 2026
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
Criteo Expands Regional Reach Through New Reseller Partnership with Tyroo
Mr. Sukesh Singh – Managing Director, SEA, Criteo
Strategic reseller agreement strengthens Criteo's presence and advertiser support in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines
SINGAPORE, Sept 17 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Criteo (NASDAQ: CRTO), the global commerce intelligence platform, today announced a strategic reseller partnership with Tyroo Technologies, a leading ad tech company. Under the agreement, Tyroo will promote Criteo's performance media solutions to advertisers in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, extending Criteo's on-the-ground presence and support for advertisers across these markets.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260915240487/en/
The partnership reflects Criteo's continued investment in Southeast Asia, with Tyroo's established regional presence and market expertise expected to strengthen Criteo's ability to support advertisers in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. The appointment gives advertisers in these markets more direct, in-market access to Criteo’s proprietary commerce intelligence platform as they look to scale their AI-assisted commerce strategies.
Criteo is scaling into Southeast Asian markets through established regional partners with deep market expertise and existing advertiser relationships. While Criteo has worked with Tyroo in India since 2021, expanding the partnership into Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines marks the next step and sets a strong foundation for Criteo’s regional growth.
Expressing his views on the partnership, Sukesh Singh, Managing Director, SEA, Criteo said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Tyroo in our efforts to grow and expand our coverage in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, making a real difference in AI-assisted commerce campaign activation.
As commerce continues to grow across Southeast Asia, we're confident this partnership will help advertisers in these markets reach high-intent audiences more effectively across channels and drive full-funnel outcomes through our commerce intelligence platform.”
Bharat Arora, Country Head, India, Tyroo, commented, “At Tyroo, we've always believed that global innovation delivers its greatest impact when combined with deep regional expertise. We're excited to extend this collaboration with Criteo into Southeast Asia using our local teams and infrastructures to help advertisers and global brands unlock the full potential of Criteo’s commerce intelligence across Southeast Asia's dynamic digital economy.”
About Tyroo
Tyroo, headquartered in Singapore, is a leading APAC-based ad tech platform driving brand growth across the Asia Pacific. Tyroo aids businesses in scaling through versatile advertising channels, formats, and audience targeting, utilizing efficient no-code and low-code solutions. Tyroo's data-driven, partner-focused approach has successfully facilitated market entry and growth for brands and global media enterprises throughout APAC. With regional offices strategically placed across the region, Tyroo remains dedicated to propelling the ad tech industry and empowering brand expansion. For more information, please visit www.tyroo.com.
About Criteo
Criteo (NASDAQ: CRTO) is the global commerce intelligence platform that drives performance for brands, agencies, retailers, and publishers. Built on proprietary commerce data from more than $1 trillion in annual sales and two decades of AI innovation, Criteo helps companies across the ecosystem make smarter decisions and achieve better outcomes, while delivering more relevant experiences for shoppers. With thousands of clients and deep partnerships across global retail and digital commerce, Criteo provides the technology and insights businesses need to compete and grow. For more information, please visit www.criteo.com.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260915240487/en/
Contact
Press enquiries
Theresa Shen
Senior Director, PR and Communications, APAC, Criteo
t.shen@criteo.com
Parinita Singh
Marketing Manager, Tyroo
parinita@tyroo.com
Source : Criteo
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
D-WAVE TO HOST QUBITS ASIA 2026 IN SEOUL ON OCT 28
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- D-Wave Quantum Inc (D-Wave), a quantum computing company providing both annealing and gate-model systems, software and services, will host Qubits Asia 2026: Quantum Realized, a full-day quantum computing user conference, on Oct 28 in Seoul.
Focused on the growing impact of quantum computing across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the event will spotlight production applications addressing complex business challenges and research advancing scientific discovery, as well as the latest developments in D-Wave’s annealing and gate-model technologies.
D-Wave in a statement said the conference will bring together its executives, customers, researchers and industry leaders to share lessons from real-world implementations, exchange best practices and explore opportunities to accelerate quantum computing adoption across APAC.
“Countries including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan are moving decisively to establish global leadership in quantum computing, and D-Wave is helping turn that ambition into measurable results today.
“Qubits Asia will demonstrate what leadership looks like in practice by bringing together customers, researchers and industry leaders to accelerate commercial adoption, advance scientific discovery and expand the impact of quantum computing across the region,” said D-Wave Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Alan Baratz.
Qubits Asia 2026 comes amid continued momentum for D-Wave across APAC, marked by growing customer adoption, strategic collaborations and commercial and research initiatives spanning network optimisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, materials science, and semiconductor manufacturing as well as port operations.
Conference highlights include D-Wave CEO Dr Baratz and Chief Development Officer Dr Trevor Lanting sharing updates on the company’s annealing and gate-model quantum computing technologies, commercial applications and advances in quantum AI.
In addition, NTT DOCOMO researcher Shuichi Fukuda will discuss the Japanese mobile operator’s two D-Wave-powered quantum computing applications now operating in production and the resulting improvements in network efficiency and performance, while LG CNS Consulting Manager Wanki Cho will discuss the use of D-Wave technology to enhance 3D CT imaging for manufacturing inspections.
-- BERNAMA
Focused on the growing impact of quantum computing across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the event will spotlight production applications addressing complex business challenges and research advancing scientific discovery, as well as the latest developments in D-Wave’s annealing and gate-model technologies.
D-Wave in a statement said the conference will bring together its executives, customers, researchers and industry leaders to share lessons from real-world implementations, exchange best practices and explore opportunities to accelerate quantum computing adoption across APAC.
“Countries including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan are moving decisively to establish global leadership in quantum computing, and D-Wave is helping turn that ambition into measurable results today.
“Qubits Asia will demonstrate what leadership looks like in practice by bringing together customers, researchers and industry leaders to accelerate commercial adoption, advance scientific discovery and expand the impact of quantum computing across the region,” said D-Wave Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Alan Baratz.
Qubits Asia 2026 comes amid continued momentum for D-Wave across APAC, marked by growing customer adoption, strategic collaborations and commercial and research initiatives spanning network optimisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, materials science, and semiconductor manufacturing as well as port operations.
Conference highlights include D-Wave CEO Dr Baratz and Chief Development Officer Dr Trevor Lanting sharing updates on the company’s annealing and gate-model quantum computing technologies, commercial applications and advances in quantum AI.
In addition, NTT DOCOMO researcher Shuichi Fukuda will discuss the Japanese mobile operator’s two D-Wave-powered quantum computing applications now operating in production and the resulting improvements in network efficiency and performance, while LG CNS Consulting Manager Wanki Cho will discuss the use of D-Wave technology to enhance 3D CT imaging for manufacturing inspections.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
ZEISS UNVEILS HYBRID 3D X-RAY MICROSCOPE FOR MULTI-SCALE IMAGING
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- ZEISS, a technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics, has introduced ZEISS VersaXRM 5 Insight, a hybrid 3D X-ray microscope designed to help researchers and engineers analyse samples faster.
Combining X-ray microscopy and microCT in a single platform, the system provides multi-scale imaging, guided workflows and automated artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled reconstruction for non-destructive 3D imaging.
In a statement, ZEISS Microscopy Head of the X-ray Microscopy Field of Business, Nicolas Gueninchault said the system enables users to work more efficiently while balancing throughput, resolution and ease of use, adding that it also helps protect valuable samples while providing 3D imaging capabilities.
ZEISS VersaXRM 5 Insight combines large field-of-view and high-resolution imaging in one system, allowing users to inspect larger samples, zoom into regions of interest and capture detailed 3D images without changing hardware configurations or interrupting workflows.
The system combines the throughput, flexibility and efficiency of microCT with the detailed imaging capabilities of laboratory-based X-ray microscopy, enabling a unified workflow for imaging large-scale structures and fine internal features while preserving sample integrity.
ZEISS VersaXRM 5 Insight features Resolution at a Distance (RaaD), which enables high-resolution imaging of small features and internal defects within larger samples. The technology reduces the need to cut, trim or refixture samples, helping users save time, reduce preparation errors and protect delicate or difficult-to-reproduce specimens.
The system also features ZEN navx, an intuitive software environment with intelligent guidance and sample-aware navigation that simplifies setup, supports sample-specific imaging decisions and helps protect samples and the system.
ZEISS VersaXRM 5 Insight supports applications across materials research, industrial inspection and life sciences, including failure analysis, internal defect detection, part quality inspection and 3D visualisation of biological structures across multiple scales.
The system also supports in-situ and 4D studies in materials research, as well as root-cause analysis of semiconductor and electronic packages and yield improvement in manufacturing and quality assurance applications.
-- BERNAMA
Combining X-ray microscopy and microCT in a single platform, the system provides multi-scale imaging, guided workflows and automated artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled reconstruction for non-destructive 3D imaging.
In a statement, ZEISS Microscopy Head of the X-ray Microscopy Field of Business, Nicolas Gueninchault said the system enables users to work more efficiently while balancing throughput, resolution and ease of use, adding that it also helps protect valuable samples while providing 3D imaging capabilities.
ZEISS VersaXRM 5 Insight combines large field-of-view and high-resolution imaging in one system, allowing users to inspect larger samples, zoom into regions of interest and capture detailed 3D images without changing hardware configurations or interrupting workflows.
The system combines the throughput, flexibility and efficiency of microCT with the detailed imaging capabilities of laboratory-based X-ray microscopy, enabling a unified workflow for imaging large-scale structures and fine internal features while preserving sample integrity.
ZEISS VersaXRM 5 Insight features Resolution at a Distance (RaaD), which enables high-resolution imaging of small features and internal defects within larger samples. The technology reduces the need to cut, trim or refixture samples, helping users save time, reduce preparation errors and protect delicate or difficult-to-reproduce specimens.
The system also features ZEN navx, an intuitive software environment with intelligent guidance and sample-aware navigation that simplifies setup, supports sample-specific imaging decisions and helps protect samples and the system.
ZEISS VersaXRM 5 Insight supports applications across materials research, industrial inspection and life sciences, including failure analysis, internal defect detection, part quality inspection and 3D visualisation of biological structures across multiple scales.
The system also supports in-situ and 4D studies in materials research, as well as root-cause analysis of semiconductor and electronic packages and yield improvement in manufacturing and quality assurance applications.
-- BERNAMA
EMGA ARRANGES US$80 MLN CLUB LOAN FOR UZBEKISTAN’S IPAK YULI BANK
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- London-based Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) has led a US$80 million club loan financing for Uzbekistan’s Ipak Yuli Bank, funded by OeEB, CDP and Allianz Global Investors (AGI). (US$1 = RM4.07)
“We are pleased to be the lead arranger in structuring this latest facility for Ipak Yuli that was aimed at further building their SME, Gender and Green portfolios.
“Our close relationship with Ipak Yuli as well as each of these DFIs has been integral to the successful execution of a complex transaction,” said EMGA Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director, Sajeev Chakkalakal in a statement.
Meanwhile, Ipak Yuli Bank Chief Executive Officer, Umidjon Khakimov said the transaction further strengthens the bank’s cooperation with EMGA and establishes partnerships with new international institutions.
“The transaction further diversifies our funding base and enables us to expand our support to clients and businesses in Uzbekistan,” added Khakimov.
Established in December 1990, Ipak Yuli is a joint-stock commercial-innovation bank in Uzbekistan providing banking services to individual entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, state organisations and institutions, and corporate customers.
OeEB has been operating as the Development Bank of Austria since March 2008, while CDP is Italy’s official Development Finance Institution and National Promotional Institution, financing sustainable development, international cooperation, infrastructure and business growth in emerging and developing markets.
AGI is a global investment management firm with offices in 21 locations worldwide and is owned by the global insurance and financial services group Allianz.
-- BERNAMA
Monday, September 14, 2026
Mavenir Celebrates Four Award-Winning Entries at Light Reading's 2026 Leading Lights Awards
Awards recognize leadership in NTN innovation, IoT connectivity, network modernization and energy efficiency
RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, today announced it was featured in four award-winning entries at Light Reading's 2026 Leading Lights Awards, highlighting the company's leadership in non-terrestrial networks, cloud-native core innovation, network modernization, and energy efficiency. The awards recognize outstanding achievements and innovation across the global communications industry.
Mavenir received awards in two categories:
RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, today announced it was featured in four award-winning entries at Light Reading's 2026 Leading Lights Awards, highlighting the company's leadership in non-terrestrial networks, cloud-native core innovation, network modernization, and energy efficiency. The awards recognize outstanding achievements and innovation across the global communications industry.
Mavenir received awards in two categories:
- Most Innovative Satellite or Non-Terrestrial Network Product or Solution for the Mavenir Full-Stack NTN Platform. Judges commended the platform for enabling satellite-terrestrial integration across GEO, MEO and LEO environments while supporting 3G through 5G services on a converged core architecture that treats non-terrestrial access as a native network capability rather than an overlay.
- Outstanding Use Case: IoT, jointly with Deutsche Telekom IoT GmbH, for Remote Packet Core for Connected Cars. The solution keeps the control plane in Europe while enabling localized traffic breakout in North America, addressing latency, transit costs, and data sovereignty requirements for global connected vehicle services. The live production deployment supports connectivity for more than one million connected vehicles worldwide, demonstrating how cloud-native packet core technology can scale to support mission-critical IoT services while meeting stringent operational and regulatory requirements.
"These awards highlight Mavenir's commitment to solving some of the industry's most important connectivity challenges," said Pardeep Kohli, President and CEO of Mavenir. "Our Full-Stack NTN Platform is helping operators extend connectivity beyond traditional terrestrial networks, while our Remote Packet Core deployment with Deutsche Telekom IoT GmbH demonstrates how cloud-native core technology can securely connect more than one million vehicles worldwide while meeting the demanding performance, scalability, and regulatory requirements of global IoT services. These wins reflect the real-world impact of our technology and the strength of our collaboration with customers."
Mavenir was also a key technology partner in two award-winning Deutsche Telekom initiatives:
Mavenir was also a key technology partner in two award-winning Deutsche Telekom initiatives:
- Outstanding Use Case: Network Modernization & Automation for the Horizontal Telco Cloud initiative. The program replaced fragmented network silos with a shared, cloud-native platform spanning more than ten German data centers. Mavenir contributed complete cloud-native solutions, including a converged 4G/5G packet core with proven network slicing applications. These solutions use GitOps-based automation and Kubernetes capabilities to help create a scalable foundation for future network innovation.
- Outstanding Use Case: Energy Efficiency & Sustainability for Full Stack Energy Efficiency. The initiative achieved up to 65% off-peak energy savings in the 5G core network, without a hardware refresh. Mavenir's cloud-native 5G Core software and energy-aware automation capabilities helped enable dynamic scaling of resources to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions while maintaining network performance, supporting Deutsche Telekom's vision of a "zero bit & zero watt" core.
"These awards highlight two of the industry's most important imperatives: building more agile networks and operating them more sustainably," added Kohli. "We congratulate Deutsche Telekom on these achievements and are proud that Mavenir technology helped power both projects. By combining cloud-native architecture, intelligent automation, and energy-aware 5G Core software, we're helping operators modernize their networks while delivering measurable efficiency and sustainability gains."
Light Reading's Leading Lights Awards 2026 full list of winners: https://www.lightreading.com/optical-networking/light-reading-s-leading-lights-awards-2026-the-winners
About Mavenir
Mavenir is enabling intelligent, automated, programmable networks through the development of telco-first, cloud-native, AI-by-design software solutions for mobile operators. The company’s deep telco domain expertise has been proven through deployments with 300+ operators globally in over 120 countries, which together serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. Mavenir combines its deep telco experience with the cloud and IT expertise and data science skillsets essential to solving real customer challenges. Its proven software solutions are AI by design, delivering the AI-native future and operators’ evolution to TechCos. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com.
Mavenir PR Contacts:
Emmanuela Spiteri
PR@mavenir.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ee11b01-f063-4fa2-8558-3f834be5d83f
SOURCE: Mavenir Systems, Inc.
Light Reading's Leading Lights Awards 2026 full list of winners: https://www.lightreading.com/optical-networking/light-reading-s-leading-lights-awards-2026-the-winners
About Mavenir
Mavenir is enabling intelligent, automated, programmable networks through the development of telco-first, cloud-native, AI-by-design software solutions for mobile operators. The company’s deep telco domain expertise has been proven through deployments with 300+ operators globally in over 120 countries, which together serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. Mavenir combines its deep telco experience with the cloud and IT expertise and data science skillsets essential to solving real customer challenges. Its proven software solutions are AI by design, delivering the AI-native future and operators’ evolution to TechCos. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com.
Mavenir PR Contacts:
Emmanuela Spiteri
PR@mavenir.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ee11b01-f063-4fa2-8558-3f834be5d83f
SOURCE: Mavenir Systems, Inc.
Friday, September 11, 2026
Dark Horse Consulting Group Marks the Opening of Its Shanghai Office with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. and SHANGHAI, Sept 10 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Horse Consulting Group (DHCG) marked the opening of its Shanghai office with a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating Dark Horse Consulting China. The event brought together DHCG leadership, “Shanghai Center of Biomedicine Development”, “China leading CDMO and CRO companies”, and invited guests from across the region's life sciences community. Anthony Davies, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, led the ceremony, joined by John Ng, MBA, General Manager, DHC Asia Pacific, and Kang Liu, Ph.D., Senior Director, Head of China. The ribbon cutting ceremony is jointly performed by Mr. Zhang Hua, Deputy Director at Shanghai Center of Biomedicine Development, Anthony Davies, Founder and CEO at DHCG and John Ng, GM APAC at DHCG.
DHCG announced the formation of Dark Horse Consulting China in August 2026, together with Kang Liu's appointment to lead it. The practice was established to help biotherapeutic developers leverage China's advanced CDMO and CRO infrastructure, its streamlined regulatory pathways to first-in-human (FIH), and its growing role as a hub for globally relevant clinical data. China's life sciences sector is at an inflection point. Its manufacturing and contract research infrastructure now rivals global standards, its regulatory frameworks continue to mature, and the Investigator Initiated Trial (IIT) pathway offers developers a cost-effective route to FIH data.
Those advantages are driving a fundamental shift in the global biopharma landscape. Lower clinical costs and faster timelines have made China IITs a serious consideration for innovative companies, supported by an ecosystem in which leading CDMOs match their global counterparts, intellectual property enforcement is held to international standards, and co-development agreements with western partners have become routine. Under Decree 818, studies are restricted to Grade A tertiary hospitals, a measure that has strengthened data quality, and western regulators are increasingly recognizing the validity of IIT-generated data.
“Standing in Shanghai with our partners makes concrete something we have believed for years: biotech is a truly global industry, and China is a core consideration for western developers rather than an afterthought. Dark Horse Consulting China is how we make that opportunity navigable for our clients," said Anthony Davies, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Dark Horse Consulting Group.
Dark Horse Consulting China guides clients through every stage of the IIT process, from assessing strategic fit and building a regulatory strategy that works across frameworks, to CMC planning, CDMO and CRO selection, hospital and principal investigator selection, supply chain management, and strategy for fundraising and asset licensing.
“Today marks the beginning of the work, not the end of it. The opportunity to generate meaningful clinical data in China and to accelerate programs globally is real, and it is here now. DHCG China exists to make that path clear, strategic, and executable," said Kang Liu, Ph.D., Senior Director, Head of China at Dark Horse Consulting Group.
About Dark Horse Consulting Group
Dark Horse Consulting Group is a worldwide consulting organization with offices in North America, Europe, and APAC. Founded in 2014 to accelerate the development and delivery of cell and gene therapies through specialized expertise, the firm's focus has since expanded dramatically, with consulting team expertise now encompassing strategy, operations, Quality, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, modeling, supply chain, commercial launch, and business optimization across the biopharma landscape. DHCG provides white-glove client service grounded in rigorous scientific and technical expertise, from early discovery through commercial launch. The organization comprises three business units, DHC, BioTechLogic, and Converge Consulting, with Bruder Consulting & Venture Group forming a specialized Regenerative Medicine department within DHC. DHCG is currently expanding into the APAC region in 2026 through the acquisition of CJP Tokyo and the formation of Dark Horse Consulting China.
bd@darkhorseconsultinggroup.com
SOURCE: Dark Horse Consulting Group
--BERNAMA
Those advantages are driving a fundamental shift in the global biopharma landscape. Lower clinical costs and faster timelines have made China IITs a serious consideration for innovative companies, supported by an ecosystem in which leading CDMOs match their global counterparts, intellectual property enforcement is held to international standards, and co-development agreements with western partners have become routine. Under Decree 818, studies are restricted to Grade A tertiary hospitals, a measure that has strengthened data quality, and western regulators are increasingly recognizing the validity of IIT-generated data.
“Standing in Shanghai with our partners makes concrete something we have believed for years: biotech is a truly global industry, and China is a core consideration for western developers rather than an afterthought. Dark Horse Consulting China is how we make that opportunity navigable for our clients," said Anthony Davies, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Dark Horse Consulting Group.
Dark Horse Consulting China guides clients through every stage of the IIT process, from assessing strategic fit and building a regulatory strategy that works across frameworks, to CMC planning, CDMO and CRO selection, hospital and principal investigator selection, supply chain management, and strategy for fundraising and asset licensing.
“Today marks the beginning of the work, not the end of it. The opportunity to generate meaningful clinical data in China and to accelerate programs globally is real, and it is here now. DHCG China exists to make that path clear, strategic, and executable," said Kang Liu, Ph.D., Senior Director, Head of China at Dark Horse Consulting Group.
About Dark Horse Consulting Group
Dark Horse Consulting Group is a worldwide consulting organization with offices in North America, Europe, and APAC. Founded in 2014 to accelerate the development and delivery of cell and gene therapies through specialized expertise, the firm's focus has since expanded dramatically, with consulting team expertise now encompassing strategy, operations, Quality, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, modeling, supply chain, commercial launch, and business optimization across the biopharma landscape. DHCG provides white-glove client service grounded in rigorous scientific and technical expertise, from early discovery through commercial launch. The organization comprises three business units, DHC, BioTechLogic, and Converge Consulting, with Bruder Consulting & Venture Group forming a specialized Regenerative Medicine department within DHC. DHCG is currently expanding into the APAC region in 2026 through the acquisition of CJP Tokyo and the formation of Dark Horse Consulting China.
bd@darkhorseconsultinggroup.com
SOURCE: Dark Horse Consulting Group
--BERNAMA
Thursday, September 10, 2026
AM Best Sees Steady Prospects For China’s Non-Life Insurance
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has maintained its stable outlook on China’s non-life insurance segment, citing improved regulatory oversight, new growth opportunities and ongoing digitalisation and innovation.
The Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: China Non-Life Insurance”, said that enhanced regulatory oversight, particularly for non-motor lines such as property and liability, is expected to support pricing discipline, strengthen distribution practices and promote prudent market conduct.
New growth opportunities are also emerging from initiatives under the nation’s latest five-year plan, which focuses on technology finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance and digital finance, as well as the expanding Chinese Interest Abroad business, despite moderating gross domestic product (GDP) growth and slower premium growth in traditional non-life business.
“For Chinese Interest Aboard business, while expansion may enhance China non-life insurers’ geographical diversification over time, it is important to note that insurers could also be exposed to unfamiliar risks that require advanced underwriting skills and robust risk management systems to protect against large financial losses,” said AM Best associate director, analytics, Lucie Huang in a statement.
Meanwhile, its director, analytics, James Chan said the industry’s priorities are increasingly shifting towards sustainable profitability and operational efficiency, supported by accelerated digitalisation and innovation.
“Beyond traditional reinsurance support, they are also adopting proactive risk reduction measures to better manage exposures, while enhancing the client experience and improving post-disaster response,” he said.
The report said investment returns have driven the China non-life segment’s bottom line, while underwriting margins remain thin amid intense competition.
Although underwriting profits are largely concentrated among large insurers that benefit from economies of scale, some smaller local insurers have achieved favourable underwriting margins by focusing on niche market segments.
At the same time, concerns over China’s economic momentum have emerged amid lower GDP growth forecasts, prompting insurers to shift their focus from top-line growth to bottom-line protection and operational efficiency.
-- BERNAMA
AM BEST: REGULATORY INITIATIVES, ECONOMIC EXPANSION DRIVE MALAYSIA’S NON-LIFE GROWTH
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- AM Best has maintained a stable outlook on Malaysia’s non-life insurance segment, citing regulatory initiatives and economic expansion, which are driving robust premium growth and increasing insurance penetration.
The stable outlook on Malaysia’s non-life segment is also supported by de-tariffication of motor and fire insurance, as well as measures curbing medical inflation. However, it remains vulnerable to developments in the external environment.
The Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Malaysia Non-Life Insurance”, stated that motor and fire insurance anchor the market, together accounting for more than 65 per cent of total non-life premiums.
In a statement, the global credit rating agency said pricing has progressively shifted towards a more risk-based approach since phased liberalisation of tariffs for these lines began in July 2016.
Over time, AM Best expects de-tariffication to drive product innovation, improve service quality, align pricing with underlying risks and enhance market efficiency, although it may pressure underwriting margins over the intermediate term.
“Malaysia’s non-life insurers continue to maintain healthy underwriting profits through disciplined underwriting and effective pricing strategies, supporting the industry’s long-term sustainability,” said AM Best senior financial analyst, Sin Yee Chuah, adding that the segment remains poised for continued growth.
The rating agency added that Malaysia’s non-life segment reported an improved underwriting profit in 2025, with a healthy combined ratio in the low-to-mid-90 per cent range, reflecting sustained underwriting discipline that supported profitability.
Malaysia’s economy continues to be supported by resilient domestic demand, particularly household consumption and investment, while strong demand for electrical and electronics exports and continued investment in data centres provide additional support.
The report also noted that a pilot phase of the recently introduced RESET Strategy, which introduced a standardised base medical and health insurance/takaful plan with a co-payment feature, is targeted for the second half of 2026, with full rollout expected by early 2027.
In addition, climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, presenting floods as a persistent tail risk for insurers and exposing the segment’s profitability to greater volatility.
-- BERNAMA
The stable outlook on Malaysia’s non-life segment is also supported by de-tariffication of motor and fire insurance, as well as measures curbing medical inflation. However, it remains vulnerable to developments in the external environment.
The Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Malaysia Non-Life Insurance”, stated that motor and fire insurance anchor the market, together accounting for more than 65 per cent of total non-life premiums.
In a statement, the global credit rating agency said pricing has progressively shifted towards a more risk-based approach since phased liberalisation of tariffs for these lines began in July 2016.
Over time, AM Best expects de-tariffication to drive product innovation, improve service quality, align pricing with underlying risks and enhance market efficiency, although it may pressure underwriting margins over the intermediate term.
“Malaysia’s non-life insurers continue to maintain healthy underwriting profits through disciplined underwriting and effective pricing strategies, supporting the industry’s long-term sustainability,” said AM Best senior financial analyst, Sin Yee Chuah, adding that the segment remains poised for continued growth.
The rating agency added that Malaysia’s non-life segment reported an improved underwriting profit in 2025, with a healthy combined ratio in the low-to-mid-90 per cent range, reflecting sustained underwriting discipline that supported profitability.
Malaysia’s economy continues to be supported by resilient domestic demand, particularly household consumption and investment, while strong demand for electrical and electronics exports and continued investment in data centres provide additional support.
The report also noted that a pilot phase of the recently introduced RESET Strategy, which introduced a standardised base medical and health insurance/takaful plan with a co-payment feature, is targeted for the second half of 2026, with full rollout expected by early 2027.
In addition, climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, presenting floods as a persistent tail risk for insurers and exposing the segment’s profitability to greater volatility.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
GENERAL ROBOTICS ADVANCES ROBOT DEPLOYMENT WITH SELF-ENGINEERING GRID PLATFORM
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| GRID, the robot intelligence platform from General Robotics, auto‑engineers the full lifecycle of a complex pouring skill — from creation and testing to deployment and real‑world evaluation in a biolab. |
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- General Robotics, a company developing an intelligence layer for physical artificial intelligence (AI), has advanced its GRID robot intelligence platform to automate key stages of robot deployment, reducing the time and specialised expertise needed to bring robots into production.
The company in a statement said GRID can now use AI to automate processes ranging from robot onboarding and AI model integration to the creation and deployment of new robotic skills.
General Robotics founder and chief executive officer, Ashish Kapoor said the platform brings robotics knowledge spanning research, software, AI models, simulations, data and hardware into a single agent-first system, enabling intelligence to compound with each deployment.
The latest development has reduced robot onboarding time from one month to as little as two hours, while model ingestion has been cut from three days to as little as 20 minutes. Skill transfer across different robot form factors now takes as little as 1.5 hours, while new skill creation and deployment can be completed in as little as two days.
General Robotics said GRID uses knowledge graphs to convert each deployment, task, model and failure into structured, reusable intelligence while protecting customer data and intellectual property.
The platform supports robots from different manufacturers and form factors, allowing customers to select systems suited to specific tasks. Its growing ecosystem includes industrial robotics maker FANUC and bimanual mobile manipulation company Galaxea Dynamics.
The company said GRID customers include global companies in automotive manufacturing, port operations, energy generation and food and beverage production, as well as government agencies.
General Robotics said the robotics industry faces shortages of specialised talent and a fragmented development stack that requires bespoke integration of software, communications protocols and programming systems, limiting the transition from pilot projects to production-scale deployments.
GRID is designed to address these constraints through a modular library of robotic skills, foundation models and classical techniques that can be used across different robot types and applications.
The latest version of GRID can determine the skills required for a task, select and combine relevant models and approaches, create and run simulations, and deploy and monitor AI skills. The platform then uses real-world performance and failures to determine further refinements, creating a continuous development loop across connected robots and tasks.
-- BERNAMA
Monday, September 7, 2026
SHENZHEN FORUM ADVANCES ASIA-PACIFIC MEDIA COOPERATION
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The Asia-Pacific Media Forum in Shenzhen has brought together more than 400 representatives from over 220 media organisations, think tanks, government bodies, diplomatic missions, United Nations (UN) agencies and international organisations from 42 countries and regions.
Themed “Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action”, the forum focused on strengthening regional media cooperation ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which China is scheduled to host later this year.
The event resulted in several new cooperation mechanisms, including the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Organizing Committee and the signing and exchange of media cooperation documents.
It also saw the launch of the “Gather in Shenzhen, Create a Better Asia-Pacific” Media Cooperation Initiative, which focuses on technology sharing, joint content production and professional training, as well as the release of the Shenzhen Consensus, according to a statement.
Under the technology pillar, Shenzhen plans to establish the Asia-Pacific Digital & Smart Media Intelligence Shenzhen Center to promote exchanges in digital media technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and the OpenHarmony ecosystem.
For content collaboration, the forum launched the “Witness Miracles, Seek Solutions” programme, which invites media organisations from across the region to jointly develop and broadcast reporting projects using Shenzhen as one area of focus.
The initiative also includes a Training Base for Asia-Pacific Youth Media Professionals, which is expected to host media professionals, particularly those under 45, for study visits, exchanges and training programmes.
The Shenzhen Consensus calls for greater regional cooperation in areas including digital transformation, AI, green development, media exchange and multilateral trade, while encouraging greater dialogue and mutual understanding across the Asia-Pacific.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, September 4, 2026
CGTN：From desert to opportunity: China-Egypt ties deepen across sectors
BEIJING, Sept 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGTN publishes an article highlighting how China-Egypt cooperation has grown beyond industrial projects to encompass broader economic and strategic ties. The article spotlights the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, growing Egyptian agricultural exports to China and the broader significance of the two countries' 70-year relationship.
A decade after China and Egypt launched the second phase of their joint economic and trade cooperation zone in the desert along the Suez Canal, the area has grown into an industrial cluster of nearly 200 companies, creating about 10,000 jobs and becoming a tangible example of how bilateral cooperation can translate into local development.
The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has attracted companies in building materials, petroleum equipment, electrical equipment and machinery, with cumulative investment exceeding $4.7 billion, according to the reports by People's Daily. What was once undeveloped desert has become an industrial platform linking China's Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt's development strategy for the Suez Canal Corridor.
The transformation reflects a broader shift in China-Egypt ties, from individual infrastructure projects toward cooperation that connects investment, employment and markets. During talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the two countries should deepen cooperation and continue advancing the building of a China-Egypt community with a shared future.
New engine of local development
The Suez zone has increasingly moved beyond conventional manufacturing, with solar projects and an emerging circular economy pointing toward greener and lower-carbon development. The expansion into new sectors has also brought more direct benefits to Egypt's economy and workforce.
Chinese-invested projects have helped strengthen Egypt's power supply, with a solar park substation project providing about 16,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity since completion, while Chinese companies have trained local engineers and workers, with some Egyptian employees moving into technical and management positions. At a joint venture between China XD Electric and Egyptian-owned EGEMAC, local employees account for 97% of the workforce.
Such cooperation is part of a broader model of mutually beneficial development. In a signed article published in Egyptian media ahead of Xi's visit, he said China and Egypt should "pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and set a benchmark for joint development."
Egyptian products find a growing market in China
The relationship is increasingly running in both directions, with Egyptian products gaining greater access to China's large consumer market.
China's trade with Egypt reached 95.19 billion yuan ($14.16 billion) in the first seven months of 2026, up 18.7% year on year, Chinese official data shows. Chinese exports to Egypt rose 17.5%, while imports from Egypt jumped 49.4%.
Agricultural trade has been a particular growth area. China's imports of Egyptian agricultural products rose 82.6% in the first seven months, accounting for 41.7% of China's total imports from Egypt. Egypt was China's largest source of frozen strawberries and third-largest source of flax, with the two products accounting for 96.7% and 7.7% of China's respective imports.
Egypt, one of the world's leading orange exporters, shipped fresh oranges worth about $26 million to China in 2025. An agricultural exporter who travels to China several times a year said strong demand for Egyptian oranges among Chinese consumers has encouraged producers to improve quality.
In an article, Egypt's Al-Ahram newspaper said China's zero-tariff measures for African products had opened access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people, while noting that lower tariffs alone would not guarantee success. Product quality, stable supply and localized marketing would remain important for Egyptian companies seeking to expand in China, the newspaper said.
Beyond bilateral ties
The significance of the relationship goes beyond trade and investment as China and Egypt mark 70 years of diplomatic ties. Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and the two countries have since expanded cooperation into culture, education, science and technology, health and other fields.
Xi has said China and Egypt set an example of friendship, solidarity and coordination between developing countries, noting that both are important members of the Global South.
Egypt's position gives that partnership a wider regional dimension. As a major Arab and African country, it serves as a link between the Arab world and Africa, while China and Egypt coordinate in multilateral frameworks including the United Nations and BRICS.
At a time of persistent instability in the Middle East, Xi has also called for greater regional autonomy in security, comprehensive approaches to hotspot issues, development to underpin security and stronger international coordination.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-02/From-desert-to-opportunity-China-Egypt-ties-deepen-across-sectors-1Q7mph80npS/p.html
Contact: CGTN Digital jiang.simin@cgtn.com
SOURCE: China Global Television Network Corporation
--BERNAMA
The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has attracted companies in building materials, petroleum equipment, electrical equipment and machinery, with cumulative investment exceeding $4.7 billion, according to the reports by People's Daily. What was once undeveloped desert has become an industrial platform linking China's Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt's development strategy for the Suez Canal Corridor.
The transformation reflects a broader shift in China-Egypt ties, from individual infrastructure projects toward cooperation that connects investment, employment and markets. During talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the two countries should deepen cooperation and continue advancing the building of a China-Egypt community with a shared future.
New engine of local development
The Suez zone has increasingly moved beyond conventional manufacturing, with solar projects and an emerging circular economy pointing toward greener and lower-carbon development. The expansion into new sectors has also brought more direct benefits to Egypt's economy and workforce.
Chinese-invested projects have helped strengthen Egypt's power supply, with a solar park substation project providing about 16,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity since completion, while Chinese companies have trained local engineers and workers, with some Egyptian employees moving into technical and management positions. At a joint venture between China XD Electric and Egyptian-owned EGEMAC, local employees account for 97% of the workforce.
Such cooperation is part of a broader model of mutually beneficial development. In a signed article published in Egyptian media ahead of Xi's visit, he said China and Egypt should "pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and set a benchmark for joint development."
Egyptian products find a growing market in China
The relationship is increasingly running in both directions, with Egyptian products gaining greater access to China's large consumer market.
China's trade with Egypt reached 95.19 billion yuan ($14.16 billion) in the first seven months of 2026, up 18.7% year on year, Chinese official data shows. Chinese exports to Egypt rose 17.5%, while imports from Egypt jumped 49.4%.
Agricultural trade has been a particular growth area. China's imports of Egyptian agricultural products rose 82.6% in the first seven months, accounting for 41.7% of China's total imports from Egypt. Egypt was China's largest source of frozen strawberries and third-largest source of flax, with the two products accounting for 96.7% and 7.7% of China's respective imports.
Egypt, one of the world's leading orange exporters, shipped fresh oranges worth about $26 million to China in 2025. An agricultural exporter who travels to China several times a year said strong demand for Egyptian oranges among Chinese consumers has encouraged producers to improve quality.
In an article, Egypt's Al-Ahram newspaper said China's zero-tariff measures for African products had opened access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people, while noting that lower tariffs alone would not guarantee success. Product quality, stable supply and localized marketing would remain important for Egyptian companies seeking to expand in China, the newspaper said.
Beyond bilateral ties
The significance of the relationship goes beyond trade and investment as China and Egypt mark 70 years of diplomatic ties. Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and the two countries have since expanded cooperation into culture, education, science and technology, health and other fields.
Xi has said China and Egypt set an example of friendship, solidarity and coordination between developing countries, noting that both are important members of the Global South.
Egypt's position gives that partnership a wider regional dimension. As a major Arab and African country, it serves as a link between the Arab world and Africa, while China and Egypt coordinate in multilateral frameworks including the United Nations and BRICS.
At a time of persistent instability in the Middle East, Xi has also called for greater regional autonomy in security, comprehensive approaches to hotspot issues, development to underpin security and stronger international coordination.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-02/From-desert-to-opportunity-China-Egypt-ties-deepen-across-sectors-1Q7mph80npS/p.html
Contact: CGTN Digital jiang.simin@cgtn.com
SOURCE: China Global Television Network Corporation
--BERNAMA
Fortrea To Acquire Worldwide’s Early Phase Business
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Fortrea and Worldwide Clinical Trials (Worldwide) have signed a definitive agreement under which Fortrea will acquire Worldwide’s Early Phase Services division (Early Phase) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$45 million. (US$1=RM4.03)
According to Fortrea in a statement, the acquisition includes a 60,000-square-foot Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-compliant bioanalytical laboratory in Austin, a 200-bed Good Clinical Practice (GCP)-compliant clinical pharmacology unit in San Antonio, and a biospecimen storage facility in Pflugerville, Texas.
Fortrea chief executive officer (CEO), Anshul Thakral said the acquisition represents an important investment in early clinical development and will strengthen the company’s end-to-end clinical development platform, supporting customers from first-in-human studies through Phase IV and post-approval evidence generation.
Meanwhile, Worldwide CEO, Alistair Macdonald said the transaction will allow the company to focus investment on its rapidly growing late-stage business across oncology, neuroscience, internal medicine and rare disease.
The Early Phase business provides integrated clinical development and bioanalytical services for drug candidates from early development through later-stage research. Its addition will give Fortrea in-house large- and small-molecule bioanalytical capabilities while expanding its North American clinical research unit footprint.
The combined capabilities are expected to improve turnaround times and provide more integrated solutions for simple and complex clinical studies, while offering sponsors greater flexibility for larger participant studies, access to diverse volunteer populations and expanded bed capacity.
Fortrea and Worldwide will enter into agreements designed to maintain continuity for customers, employees and ongoing programmes during the transition. Following completion, the Early Phase business will become part of Fortrea’s Clinical Pharmacology Services unit.
The transaction remains subject to necessary regulatory and licence approvals and the execution of certain services agreements. Barclays is advising Fortrea, while BroadOak Partners is advising Worldwide on the transaction.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
HAN’S LASER LEADS INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARD FOR LASER PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Han’s Laser Smart Equipment Group Co Ltd announced that it led the development of ISO 11553-2:2026, the first international safety standard for complete laser processing equipment for hand-held or hand-operated machines developed under the ISO/IEC framework.
Han’s Laser in a statement said the international standard, ISO 11553-2:2026 Safety of machinery-Laser processing machines-Part 2: Safety requirements for hand-held or hand-operated laser processing machines, was officially released on Aug 28 after a seven-year development effort.
The release marks the first international safety standard for complete laser processing equipment under the ISO/IEC framework to be spearheaded by Han’s Laser, signifying a strategic transition for the company from a participant in standardisation to a standard-setter in the hand-held laser processing equipment sector.
The new standard advances the safety protection approach from “personnel management + end-user protection” to “inherently safe design measures embedded in the product itself”, encompassing risk assessment, safety functions, protective measures, control systems and information for use.
It specifies that primary responsibility for safety lies with the equipment’s inherent design rather than relying on operator training and personal protective equipment. The standard also provides a unified global safety benchmark for hand-held laser processing machines and serves as a technical foundation for market access.
With decades of technological expertise and practical innovation in intelligent laser equipment, Han’s Laser has accumulated extensive standardisation experience and brought together a broad network of experts.
During the development of ISO 11553-2:2026, an expert team from Han’s Laser convened more than 100 international meetings and successfully navigated multiple rigorous review procedures, including two IEC voting reviews, two ISO voting reviews, three CEN voting reviews and two EU Machinery Regulation compliance assessments.
Han’s Laser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group Co Ltd. The company will continue to deepen its engagement in global laser standardisation efforts and contribute to the advancement of the international laser equipment industry in standardisation, safety and quality.
-- BERNAMA
Han’s Laser in a statement said the international standard, ISO 11553-2:2026 Safety of machinery-Laser processing machines-Part 2: Safety requirements for hand-held or hand-operated laser processing machines, was officially released on Aug 28 after a seven-year development effort.
The release marks the first international safety standard for complete laser processing equipment under the ISO/IEC framework to be spearheaded by Han’s Laser, signifying a strategic transition for the company from a participant in standardisation to a standard-setter in the hand-held laser processing equipment sector.
The new standard advances the safety protection approach from “personnel management + end-user protection” to “inherently safe design measures embedded in the product itself”, encompassing risk assessment, safety functions, protective measures, control systems and information for use.
It specifies that primary responsibility for safety lies with the equipment’s inherent design rather than relying on operator training and personal protective equipment. The standard also provides a unified global safety benchmark for hand-held laser processing machines and serves as a technical foundation for market access.
With decades of technological expertise and practical innovation in intelligent laser equipment, Han’s Laser has accumulated extensive standardisation experience and brought together a broad network of experts.
During the development of ISO 11553-2:2026, an expert team from Han’s Laser convened more than 100 international meetings and successfully navigated multiple rigorous review procedures, including two IEC voting reviews, two ISO voting reviews, three CEN voting reviews and two EU Machinery Regulation compliance assessments.
Han’s Laser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group Co Ltd. The company will continue to deepen its engagement in global laser standardisation efforts and contribute to the advancement of the international laser equipment industry in standardisation, safety and quality.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, August 28, 2026
Beyond Profit: IFTC Introduces Structured Approach to Measuring Trading Performance
IFTC officials and industry representatives gather on stage during the official inauguration, marking the introduction of a structured framework for transparent and risk-adjusted trading performance evaluation.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- As financial trading becomes increasingly visible across digital platforms and online communities, the International Financial Trading Championship (IFTC) believes one fundamental question remains — how should trading performance be measured fairly?
A trader may show strong returns or a profitable account, but without understanding the level of risk undertaken, drawdown experienced and consistency of performance, headline returns alone may provide an incomplete picture of trading capability.
Building on its record recognition at the Malaysia, ASEAN and Asia levels, IFTC is seeking to address this challenge through a more structured approach to performance measurement.
Operating under the institutional governance of the International Financial Consultant Certified Institute (IFCCI), IFTC places measurable performance, risk discipline, transparency and consistent evaluation at the centre of its competition philosophy.
From Performance Claims to Measurable Evidence
The growth of online trading communities has made it easier than ever for traders to share results. However, performance is frequently communicated through screenshots, percentage returns or selected trading results, while the risks taken to achieve those results may receive less attention.
Two traders may generate similar returns while assuming significantly different levels of risk. Likewise, a high short-term return does not necessarily demonstrate whether a trader can maintain discipline and manage risk over a meaningful period.
IFCCI President Prof. Dato’ Dr. Kingston Chang said profitability remains important, but it should not be viewed in isolation.
“Profit is important, but profit is only one part of the story.
“If two traders generate the same return but one assumes significantly greater risk or experiences substantially higher drawdown, their performance should not necessarily be viewed in the same way.
“The industry needs a more balanced way of understanding trading capability — one that considers not only what was achieved, but also how it was achieved,” Chang said.
Introducing the Trader Performance Index
At the centre of IFTC’s approach is the Trader Performance Index (TPI), a performance measurement framework designed to evaluate trading results with greater consideration of risk.
Rather than ranking traders purely by absolute profit or percentage return, TPI considers the relationship between return and drawdown, providing a more balanced representation of trading performance.
The principle is straightforward: generating returns matters, but the amount of risk taken to generate those returns matters as well.
IFTC said no single measurement can fully define a trader’s ability. Instead, TPI provides a common performance reference that can be applied consistently within the IFTC framework, allowing eligible results to be compared using the same measurement principles.
Why a Minimum 30-Day Performance Period Matters
Time is another important element of the framework. Under IFTC’s latest structure, an eligible TPI performance record must cover a minimum period of 30 days before it can qualify for recognition within the wider IFTC ranking ecosystem.
The requirement is intended to reduce emphasis on isolated short-term results and provide a more meaningful period in which risk management, drawdown and trading behaviour can be observed.
IFTC Organising Chairman Kayden Chiew said the intention is to recognise demonstrated performance rather than momentary outcomes.
“A trader can have an exceptional day or week, but professional performance should be evaluated over a period that allows both return and risk behaviour to become more visible.
“The 30-day requirement provides a common minimum period and encourages participants to consider not only returns, but also how they manage performance throughout the competition,” Chiew said.
Same Measurement, Same Opportunity
IFTC believes a professional competition should create an environment where performance can speak for itself. Within such an environment, established traders and emerging participants should ultimately be evaluated against the same defined criteria.
Personal reputation, social media following or commercial influence should not determine performance ranking. Measurable results should. This philosophy forms part of IFTC’s broader effort to move trading competition from claims towards evidence, and from headline returns towards measurable performance.
Transparent rules and consistent competition requirements are intended to provide participants with greater clarity on how their performance is assessed. For IFTC, the purpose of a common performance framework extends beyond identifying winners. It also seeks to encourage a healthier understanding of trading performance, where risk management, discipline and consistency are recognised alongside profitability.
Chang said such standards are important to the longer-term professional development of the trading community.
“A credible trading ecosystem should not encourage the assumption that the highest return automatically represents the strongest trader.
“We want to encourage a culture where performance can be demonstrated, risk can be understood and results can be evaluated under common standards.
“From claims to evidence, and from returns to performance — that is the direction we believe professional trading competition should move towards,” he said.
Having established record recognition at the Malaysia, ASEAN and Asia levels, IFTC said the next stage of its development will apply these performance principles across a broader competition ecosystem.
Further details on how different competitions, industry partners and traders can participate within the IFTC framework will be introduced as part of its next phase.
SOURCE: International Financial Trading Championship (IFTC)
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Sapient Intelligence Launches PRAXIST (Beta) to Accelerate a New Era of Autonomous AI-led Research and Development
- 49 gold-medal outcomes across 75 machine learning competitions from MLE-Bench achieving approximately US$3,000, versus 34 for Claude Code at US$38,000
- Rocket-landing accuracy reached 100% within 12 hours, demonstrating a proof-of-concept capability at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3
SINGAPORE, Aug 28 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Singapore-headquartered artificial general intelligence research company Sapient Intelligence today announced the launch of PRAXIST (Beta), an autonomous AI research and development (R&D) system that takes on complex technical problems and independently tests and validates potential solutions.
While AI has rapidly accelerated productivity in content generation and other well-defined workflows, R&D remains inherently difficult to automate and scale. Breakthroughs require testing multiple hypotheses, learning from successes and failures, and continuously determining which paths to pursue. Organizations must address this all while balancing specialist expertise, time, cost, and infrastructure.
A capacity multiplier
PRAXIST addresses this challenge as an R&D capacity multiplier. Rather than executing a predefined path, it independently explores which technical approach can best achieve a measurable objective. Users define the goal, parameters, and budget; PRAXIST then autonomously experiments and evaluates the strongest solution.
The approach has demonstrated promising results in controlled internal evaluations. On 75 challenging Kaggle competitions from MLE-Bench, a benchmark designed to test how well AI systems tackle complex, real-world machine learning problems across, PRAXIST achieved the highest-level result in 49 competitions at an approximate recorded model cost of US$3,000, compared with 34 highest-level results for Claude Code at approximately US$38,000 under the same evaluation conditions.
“Unlike general coding agents, which are built primarily to execute a specific task, PRAXIST is designed for long-horizon R&D, where the problem-solving approach itself may need to be discovered and adapted,” says William Chen, Co-Founder at Sapient Intelligence. “A conventional research team is ultimately constrained by the number of experiments its researchers can realistically run and evaluate. PRAXIST is designed to provide organizations with the ability to augment their existing teams with additional research capacity, enabling them to explore problems with a breadth and speed that would otherwise require significantly greater specialist resources.”
From autonomous research to cumulative scientific discovery
PRAXIST deploys multiple autonomous research peers to explore approaches in parallel, test hypotheses, investigate failures, and validate promising results. Unlike the tree-like search used by other similar systems, where each candidate inherits from one parent and weaker branches are pruned, PRAXIST uses a generation-layered research graph that preserves what every experiment teaches. This allows later generations to combine valuable mechanisms, evidence, and constraints across different lineages, including failed attempts. Rather than searching for the single best branch, PRAXIST constructs stronger solutions from discoveries made across branches.
Expansion and scale at speed
For organizations with limited AI or machine learning capabilities, PRAXIST can provide an AI research layer alongside existing domain expertise; for sophisticated teams, it can augment existing capabilities and increase the scale and breadth of R&D. A traditional robotics company, for example, can define problems, objectives, and constraints from an engineering perspective while PRAXIST conducts the AI research, experimentation, and validation needed to develop solutions, effectively serving as an in-house AI research team without requiring the company to build one.
Partner engineering results further illustrate this potential. In a partner-provided rocket-landing simulation, PRAXIST improved baseline to 100% within 12 hours, demonstrating a proof-of-concept capability at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3. In an industrial robotic SLAM problem, a partner team achieved 9.37cm of accumulated error after several months of development. PRAXIST reduced the error to 5.01cm within three days.
System application
PRAXIST can operate with proprietary data in private or customer-controlled environments, giving organizations greater control over their research infrastructure and sensitive intellectual property.
Initial applications are focused on sectors with intensive R&D requirements or highly measurable or simulatable optimization problems, including AI, engineering and robotics, manufacturing, finance, and health and drug discovery. Over time, Sapient Intelligence aims to extend PRAXIST beyond traditional R&D into broader business optimization, from inventory and sales to logistics and shipping.
“AI has mastered executing what we know. The next frontier is discovering what we don’t,” said Jin Li, Chief Scientist of PRAXIST. “PRAXIST is our first step toward making autonomous discovery a practical capability for organizations tackling complex problems. As we continue to develop the platform, we will look to expand beyond traditional R&D. Our ambition is to give organizations a fundamentally greater capacity to explore what is possible, enabling existing teams to pursue more experiments, approaches, and innovations while keeping human expertise and judgment at the center.”
About Sapient Intelligence
Founded and headquartered in Singapore, Sapient Intelligence is developing a new generation of AI systems that move beyond answering questions and executing predefined tasks to autonomously discover, reason, and optimize across complex problems without predefined solutions. By combining autonomous research systems with novel foundation-model architectures, Sapient Intelligence advances autonomous discovery through deeper reasoning, self-evolving capabilities, greater adaptability, and enhanced interpretability.
At the center of this vision is PRAXIST, the company’s flagship autoresearch system enabling breakthroughs in real-world R&D and business challenges. Sapient is also the creator of the Hierarchical Reasoning Model (HRM), a novel, brain-inspired foundation model architecture designed to enable deep reasoning with substantially greater training efficiency.
With a global team of more than 50 researchers and engineers operating across Singapore, Palo Alto, and Beijing, Sapient brings together experience from leading AI organizations and research institutions. The company connects foundational AI research with demanding applications in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, developing original AI systems for enterprises, researchers, and institutions worldwide.
Learn more about PRAXIST here.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260827080331/en/
Contact
The Hoffman Agency on behalf of Sapient Intelligence
Sapient@hoffman.com
Source : Sapient Intelligence
--BERNAMA
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