SHAPE MEMORY MEDICAL CLOSES US$10 MLN FINANCING FOR CLINICAL TRIALS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- Shape Memory Medical Inc, a California-based global medical device company, has closed a US$10 million convertible note financing led by new investor August Global Partners (AGP), joined by fellow new investor Taiwania Capital. (US$1=RM4.03)

The financing provides capital to support continued clinical development of the company’s aortic portfolio, including patient follow-up and data collection in the AAA-SHAPE Pivotal Trial, and advancement of the False Lumen Treatment for Prevention of Aortic Growth Using Shape Memory Polymer (FLAGSHIP) feasibility trial.

The company said it is backed by a global syndicate of healthcare investors, including HBM Healthcare Investments (Cayman) Ltd, Earlybird Venture Capital and WexMed II LLC. The financing was also supported by HEAL Venture Lab.

“With enrolment recently completed in our AAA-SHAPE Pivotal Trial and continued progress in FLAGSHIP, we are focused on generating the clinical evidence needed to support the broader adoption of our shape memory polymer technology in aortic applications,” said Shape Memory Medical President and Chief Executive Officer, Ted Ruppel.

He said the company was pleased to welcome AGP and Taiwania Capital as investors and appreciated the continued support of its existing shareholders.

The AAA‑SHAPE Pivotal Trial is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the IMPEDE‑FX RapidFill Device when used alongside endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) to proactively manage the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac.

Shape Memory Medical in a statement said the randomised, multicentre study recently completed enrolment and will follow patients for five years.

FLAGSHIP is a first-in-human clinical study evaluating the company’s investigational False Lumen Embolisation (FLE) System for treatment of aortic dissection false lumen. The study is designed to evaluate safety and preliminary signs of efficacy and will follow patients for two years.

AGP is a Singapore-based independent fund management firm investing across healthcare and advanced manufacturing, while Taiwania Capital is a venture capital firm focused on early- to growth-stage companies.

-- BERNAMA

JAPAN MARITIME DAILY TO HOST SINGAPORE SEMINAR ON EMERGING TRANSPORT DEMANDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Japan Maritime Daily (JMD), Japan’s leading maritime newspaper, will host an international seminar in Singapore on Oct 5, focusing on “Emerging Transport Demands”.

JMD said in a statement the event supported by Singapore Exchange (SGX), will examine major shipping initiatives and the future of maritime transport through presentations and a panel discussion.

Registration is now open for “Charting the Course for the Future of Maritime” seminar, featuring senior maritime leaders from Ocean Network Express (ONE), SGX, Kpler and other international organisations.

ONE Chief Executive Officer, Till Ole Barrelet will deliver the keynote address, while SGX Group Director, Kenneth Ng will give a presentation, and Kpler Principal Heavy Distillates Analyst, Roslan Khasawneh will speak on “How Geopolitical Disruption Is Reshaping Asian Shipping”.

A panel discussion moderated by JMD Principal Editor Yohei Misaki will examine emerging transport demands and key industry challenges amid an increasingly uncertain global environment.

The panel will feature MOL Energia Managing Director, Miki Ogura; Wallem Ship Management Managing Director, Ioannis Stefanou; Tokyo Century Corporation Joint General Manager, Jigo Hayashi; and Baltic Exchange Asia Head, Cheong Jin Yu.

-- BERNAMA

ARLA FOODS INGREDIENTS INVESTS IN HEATING SYSTEM TO CUT CARBON EMISSIONS

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Arla Foods Ingredients has taken a major step towards reducing its carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions at dairy level with a newly completed investment of about eight million euros in a new heating system at the Danmark Protein plant in Videbæk. (1 Euro = RM4.69)

The system for Production Tower 4 at the plant will deliver an annual reduction of approximately 2,500 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the annual heating consumption of more than 900 households using natural gas.

“In addition to delivering substantial CO₂e savings, this investment also represents a very strong business case. We will also seek to scale across our other sites,” said Arla Foods Ingredients Vice President, Supply Chain, Paul van Rooij in a statement.

As part of the project, the tower is being converted from operating with a gas heater to being able to switch between heat from the plant’s existing steam system and a new electric heater.

The company said this initiative will reduce the use of natural gas and allow renewable electricity to take over part of the operation. Calculations show that Tower 4 will be able to operate 100 per cent on renewable electricity for 23 per cent of the time.

Switching between steam and electricity allows Arla Foods Ingredients to use electricity when wind and solar power drive prices down and reduce consumption when prices rise, supporting flexible consumption in the Danish power grid while creating a strong financial business case.

The new solution is an important part of Arla’s strategy to electrify production and provides greater flexibility in energy consumption, enhanced reliability and opportunities for future development.

While the new heating system in Tower 4 is now operational, a similar project is being planned for Tower 5. Together, the investments in Towers 4 and 5 will reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 5,200 tonnes annually, equivalent to the annual heating consumption of more than 1,900 households.

-- BERNAMA

ASIA PACIFIC SHOWS STRONGEST GOVERNANCE IMPROVEMENT, SINGAPORE TOPS CHANDLER INDEX

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Asia Pacific recorded the strongest improvement of any region in the latest 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), with 79 per cent of governments in the region recording higher scores, while Singapore retained the top global ranking for the fourth consecutive year.

The CGGI, now in its sixth year, assesses the capabilities and effectiveness of 133 governments across seven pillars, namely Leadership & Foresight, Robust Laws & Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence & Reputation, and Helping People Rise.

The findings were presented by Chandler Governance Group (CGG) Director (Knowledge), Dinesh Naidu, at a joint session on future-ready governance in Asia and the Pacific, held as part of the OECD-UNDP-OPDC “Transforming Public Services in Thailand” programme in Bangkok.

Naidu said the region's progress demonstrated that sustained investment in institutions and public service delivery could deliver improvements despite a difficult global environment.

“The region improved across six of the Index's seven pillars since 2021, which suggests deliberate, sustained capability building in areas that matter most to citizens,” said Naidu in a statement.

The 19 Asia Pacific countries assessed recorded the largest improvement in average overall score of any region since 2021, with five countries ranking among the global top 20, namely Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

The region's strongest gains were recorded in the Strong Institutions and Helping People Rise pillars, although progress was uneven. Thailand ranked 58th globally, with its Financial Stewardship performance ranking 18th.

The session also introduced the Future-Ready Governance Index (FRGI), a new benchmarking tool being jointly developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CGG to help governments across Asia Pacific respond to uncertainty, structural transformation and growing complexity.

Naidu said the CGGI provides governments with an evidence base to identify areas requiring stronger capabilities, while the FRGI is intended to help governments build capabilities to prepare for future challenges.

-- BERNAMA

GLOBAL LOGISTICS FORUM 2026 TO BE HELD IN RIYADH FROM NOV 29

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Global Logistics Forum 2026 will be held in Riyadh from Nov 29 to Dec 1, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services.

The second edition will take place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center and will be held alongside the UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum 2026 at the same venue during the same week.

According to a statement, the two forums are expected to bring together policymakers, industry executives and investors from around the world, making them a major regional gathering for the transport, supply chain and trade sectors.

The announcement follows the inaugural forum in 2024, which attracted more than 13,000 participants from over 30 countries, 140 speakers and 80 exhibitors. The event also resulted in 67 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding worth more than 16 billion Saudi riyal (US$4.3 billion). (US$1=RM4.05)

The 2026 forum will focus on innovation in logistics services, integrated global connectivity and supply chain sustainability, while supporting Saudi Arabia's ambition to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub under Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services said the forum's co-location with the UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum 2026 will provide a platform for launching strategic initiatives and developing international partnerships.

-- BERNAMA

ABNORMAL AI SECURES IMDA ACCREDITATION FOR GOVERNMENT, ENTERPRISE ADOPTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Abnormal AI, a behavioural artificial intelligence (AI) security platform, has been accredited by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) and recognised as a trusted solution for government and enterprise adoption.

The accreditation status, effective July 1, positions Abnormal to pursue expanded engagement with Singapore government agencies and enterprises through IMDA's streamlined procurement process and market access channels.

Abnormal Regional Director, ASEAN, Sebastian Murphy said the accreditation reflected that the company’s platform has undergone IMDA’s robust evaluation process, giving Singaporean agencies and enterprises a validated path to adopt behavioural AI security.

“It reflects the investment we have made in this region over the past several years. We are looking forward to deepening our work with IMDA and the customers and partners we serve here,” added Murphy in a statement.

The IMDA Accreditation programme helps enterprise technology companies scale in the region. IMDA-accredited companies undergo independent evaluation across business and operations, technical capability and financial standing, giving government agencies and large enterprises confidence to adopt their solutions.

Being enrolled in the programme also gives companies access to IMDA's "Greenlane" procurement track, which is designed to substantially shorten typical government procurement timelines, as well as introductions to government decision-makers through IMDA's ecosystem.

Abnormal's accreditation status comes as organisations across Singapore and the broader ASEAN region contend with a rise in AI-generated social engineering, business email compromise, and identity-based attacks that typically bypass traditional, rules-based defences.

By establishing per-entity baselines across identities and environments, the company’s platform is designed to detect and stop sophisticated attacks, including many that have not been seen before, without relying on static rules or threat signatures.

Abnormal intends to continue evaluating opportunities to grow its presence in Singapore and across ASEAN, with additional investment in local go-to-market resources and government engagement expected in the near term.

-- BERNAMA

XSOLLA ADDS OVER 15 PAYMENT METHODS TO EXPAND GLOBAL REACH

Graphic: Xsolla

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, has added more than 15 new payment methods to Xsolla Payments ahead of Gamescom 2026, spanning Asia and Oceania; Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and the Americas.

“Players in these markets are ready to spend. They just need to pay the way they already pay everywhere else. Every method we add is one more market where a developer can capture a sale they would have lost at checkout,” said Xsolla President, Chris Hewish.

Xsolla in a statement said game developers and publishers can now accept the local payment methods players already use across markets from Indonesia and the Philippines to Germany, France, and the United States, without additional integration.

According to Xsolla, the shift towards local payment methods is reshaping the digital payments landscape well beyond emerging markets. Across Europe, banks and regulators are building account-to-account and instant-payment alternatives to international cards, while the demand for local and instant payment options is growing worldwide.

Merchants that add a market’s top payment methods alongside cards have seen sales grow by up to 35 per cent, based on Xsolla data. Integrating more than 15 new methods helps developers capture previously unreachable revenue and reduce checkout abandonment, while allowing studios to expand their global reach without additional development complexity.

In Asia and Oceania, new methods include Mandiri in Indonesia, ShopeePay in the Philippines, LINE Pay in Taiwan, Octopus in Hong Kong, 7/11 (Konbini) in Japan and Zip Co in Australia. China UnionPay also expands its coverage into new regions and adds 35 local currencies.

Meanwhile, in EMEA, developers gain Wero in Germany and Belgium; Pay by Bank in Romania and Bulgaria; FLOA Pay, a buy-now, pay-later option in France; Bancomat Pay and MyBank in Italy; IRIS Commerce in Greece; and CliQ in Jordan.

In the United States (US), Aeropay brings Pay by Bank to Xsolla Payments, allowing players to pay directly from their bank accounts, one of the fastest-growing ways US consumers pay online.

The new methods are delivered through the existing Xsolla Payments integration, so developers already using the platform can enable options relevant to their markets without additional development work.

-- BERNAMA

CROSSBOW NAMED AS GEAR MEMBER, CONTRIBUTING PAYMENT SECURITY EXPERTISE

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Crossbow Enterprise Cybersecurity, an enterprise cybersecurity partner, has been selected to serve on the PCI Security Standards Council’s (PCI SSC) 2026–2028 Global Executive Assessor Roundtable (GEAR) for its third consecutive term.

The roundtable is a direct channel between payment security assessors and PCI SSC leadership, and Crossbow is one of 33 organisations selected for the 2026–2028 term, according to a statement.

“Continuing as a GEAR member for a third consecutive term is a meaningful milestone for Crossbow and reflects our ongoing engagement with the global payment security community,” said Crossbow Enterprise Cybersecurity Head of GRC Operations, Sabeena Job.

Meanwhile, PCI Security Standards Council Executive Director, Gina Gobeyn said GEAR brings together experienced industry leaders whose expertise and perspectives help guide the continued evolution of PCI security standards and programmes.

“We look forward to working with Crossbow Enterprise Cybersecurity as we continue advancing our shared mission of helping organisations protect payment data around the world,” added Gobeyn.

Crossbow’s continued role on GEAR enables it to contribute practical perspectives on evolving payment technologies and global compliance standards, helping support security frameworks that remain effective and relevant.

The company brings nearly 12 years of experience across cybersecurity consulting, payment security, assessment, compliance and advisory services, spanning India, Asia Pacific, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.

-- BERNAMA

SBC MEDICAL REPORTS 13 PCT RISE IN Q2 REVENUE, NET INCOME JUMPS 335 PCT

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- SBC Medical Group Holdings Inc (SBC Medical) reported a 13 per cent year-on-year (yoy) increase in consolidated revenue to US$49 million for the second quarter (Q2) of fiscal 2026 ended June 30. (US$1 = RM4.08)

Net income attributable to SBC Medical surged 335 per cent yoy to US$11 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 32 per cent to US$20 million.

Basic earnings per share jumped 400 per cent year-on-year to US$0.10, while net income margin increased 16 percentage points to 22 per cent and adjusted EBITDA margin climbed six percentage points to 41 per cent.

In a statement, SBC Medical Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Yoshiyuki Aikawa said the company was increasingly confident that its growth reacceleration reflected strengthening underlying fundamentals, with the convergence of healthcare and artificial intelligence (AI) becoming a source of competitive advantage.

He said the company is leveraging more than 26 years of accumulated management data to develop AI-enabled services, including AI-powered call centres, AI-driven marketing and AI-assisted site selection for new clinics.

The company said the quarter marked a reacceleration in growth, supported by the expansion of its points business following a change in operating policy and higher service fees driven by enhanced AI-enabled support capabilities.

The medical corporations supported by SBC Medical also continued to expand, with the number of locations increasing by 34 yoy to 287 as of end-June. Last-12-month patient visits reached 6.9 million, up 10 per cent yoy, while average spending per visit rose nine per cent to US$287.

The company said fee revisions for call centre services provided to five affiliated medical corporations, together with separate fee revisions reflecting expanded support for Rize Clinic and Gorilla Clinic, are expected to increase annual service fees by approximately US$15 million if their impact is realised for a full year.

Looking ahead, SBC Medical said it will deepen its multi-brand strategy in aesthetic dermatology in Japan, expand its non-aesthetic business and accelerate international growth through its collaboration with OrangeTwist in the United States and expansion in Southeast Asia, anchored in Thailand. The company also plans to enter the longevity market.

-- BERNAMA

84% of Singapore Consumers Say Age-Gated Content Can Harm Minors, Putting Pressure on Platforms to Strengthen Age Assurance

 

^{84% of Singapore Consumers Say Age-Gated Content Can Harm Minors, Putting Pressure on Platforms to Strengthen Age Assurance}


New Jumio research also finds 81% of consumers in Singapore are willing to verify their age online and reveals growing support for reusable identity as a proportionate path to protecting minors and personal data


SINGAPORE, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Jumio, the leading provider of AI-powered identity intelligence, today released new findings from its 2026 Online Identity Study, revealing strong consumer support for protecting minors online and growing expectations for platforms to implement effective, proportionate age assurance.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260812013936/en/ 

The research found that 81% of global consumers and 84% in Singapore think access to age-gated materials online is harmful to minors. Consumers also indicated that they are open to participating in age verification efforts, with 75% globally and 81% in Singapore saying they are willing to verify their age online to ensure minors cannot access adult products and platforms.

While 83% of consumers in Singapore also believe age verification is an important tool for preventing access to harmful or restricted content, opinions vary on who bears the ultimate responsibility. When asked who they hold most responsible for protecting minors online, respondents pointed primarily to parents (68%), followed by government agencies (36%), individuals themselves (29%) and tech marketplaces (18%). Notably, 84% in Singapore also support government action to regulate access.

While consumers support stronger protections for minors online, effective age assurance also requires their participation. The findings reveal a challenge for digital platforms: consumers in Singapore want stronger safeguards, but some remain hesitant to complete identity checks or share personal information to enable them.

• 36% of respondents said they would avoid a platform entirely if asked to provide personal data for age verification.
• 46% of respondents said they would choose a less secure or less convenient platform if it meant avoiding identity checks altogether.
• 78% said they would feel more comfortable if they only had to share proof of eligibility rather than full personal details.

The findings underscore the balancing act facing digital platforms: delivering the level of assurance needed to effectively protect minors while making the verification experience proportionate to the risk and minimizing unnecessary friction for legitimate users. This confirms the importance of modern digital IDs, which can provide age assurance without sharing personal data. Building trust in the age assurance experience also requires organizations to explain why verification is necessary and how personal information is handled and protected.

“There’s still a major trust gap around what happens to personal data during age verification. Stronger age assurance doesn’t necessarily mean collecting and permanently storing large amounts of sensitive data, but consumers need to understand what information is required and why,” said Joe Kaufmann, global head of privacy at Jumio. “Transparency and responsible data handling are critical to building trust and encouraging consumers to participate in the verification process.”

Consumers also signaled strong interest in verification models such as reusable identity solutions that reduce repetitive checks while maintaining strong assurance. Notably, 65% globally and 70% in Singapore said they would prefer to verify their age once and reuse that verification across multiple platforms, rather than repeating the process each time.

The research also highlights why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to age assurance. Age estimation uses a selfie to predict a person’s age and produces a probabilistic signal, while age verification confirms that an individual meets a specific age threshold using information from a government-issued ID, typically supported by identity and liveness checks. While some platforms are experimenting with AI-powered age estimation tools, identity experts caution that estimated age signals may not provide enough assurance for regulated environments or higher-risk platforms.

“There’s an important distinction between estimating someone’s age and truly verifying it,” said Jumio CEO Mark Lorion. “Age estimation may reduce friction in lower-risk situations, but when platforms require high assurance, especially where minors are involved, the strongest age assurance is a multi-layered approach using a government-issued ID and a selfie check to confirm the real person behind the credential. The focus now must be on delivering that assurance while minimizing the amount of data collected and stored.”

As age verification requirements continue to expand globally, the research suggests consumers are willing to participate in stronger identity checks, but only if organizations can demonstrate transparency, privacy protection and responsible data handling. For digital platforms, building trust may depend as much on explaining how data is protected as on the verification technology itself.

Learn more about age assurance trends and modern techniques businesses can use to best protect minors online while also protecting data privacy by downloading Identity, Privacy, and Protection: The Future of Online Age Assurance.

To learn more about Jumio and its award-winning, AI-powered identity intelligence solutions, visit jumio.com.

About the Research

The Jumio 2026 Online Identity Study surveyed 8,003 adult consumers evenly distributed across the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Mexico. Censuswide fielded the survey between April 14 and April 27, 2026. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

About Jumio

Jumio helps organizations to know and trust their customers online. From account opening to ongoing monitoring, the Jumio Platform provides AI-powered identity intelligence anchored in biometric authentication, automation and data-driven insights to accurately establish, maintain and reassert trust.

Leveraging powerful automated technology including biometric screening, AI/machine learning, liveness detection and no-code orchestration with hundreds of data sources, Jumio helps to fight fraud and financial crime, onboard customers faster and meet regulatory compliance including KYC and AML. Jumio has processed more than 1 billion transactions spanning over 200 countries and territories from real-time web and mobile transactions.

Based in Sunnyvale, California, Jumio operates globally with offices and representation in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for innovation. Jumio is backed by Centana Growth Partners, Great Hill Partners and Millennium Technology Value Partners.

For more information, please visit www.jumio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260812013936/en/

Contact

Media Contact
Luke Nazir
FINN Partners
Luke.Nazir@finnpartners.com
+65 8139 2504

Source : Jumio

IHERB MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH GLOBAL SALE, PLATFORM EXPANSION

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- iHerb, a global eCommerce retailer of vitamins, minerals, supplements and health and wellness products, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with its biggest sales event of the year and the addition of 10 newly supported languages to its shopping platform.

In a statement, the company said the milestone comes as it serves well over 16 million customers across approximately 180 countries, reflecting growing consumer interest in proactive health and wellness.

The anniversary promotions will begin on Aug 19 ahead of the company's September anniversary, offering discounts of up to 30 per cent across more than 600 brands, alongside daily flash deals and other customer rewards.

iHerb Chief Executive Officer, Emun Zabihi said the company's 30-year milestone reflects the growth of its customers and team members, adding that it remains focused on improving the customer experience and investing in trust, access and convenience.

The platform's newly supported languages include European Spanish, European Portuguese, Georgian, Bosnian, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Armenian, Farsi, Hindi and Cantonese, bringing its total language offerings to 46.

iHerb said each language experience is localised to enable customers across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to browse products and complete purchases in their preferred language.

Founded in 1996, iHerb has grown from selling its first supplement online from an apartment in Pasadena, California, into a global direct-to-consumer wellness platform, supported by a logistics network of climate-controlled and GMP and/or ISO-compliant facilities.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST: RECORD REINSURANCE CAPITAL TESTS UNDERWRITING DISCIPLINE

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Global reinsurers are facing increased pressure on pricing as strong earnings since 2023 have driven capital to record levels, raising questions over whether underwriting discipline can be maintained amid growing competition, according to a new report by AM Best.

The Best’s Market Segment Report, titled “Global Reinsurance at an Inflection Point: Can Discipline Survive the Temptation of Record Capital?”, stated that the global non-life reinsurance segment continues to benefit from strong capitalisation, favourable earnings generation and supportive market conditions.

However, growing competition is putting pressure on reinsurance pricing, particularly in property lines. Unlike previous hard markets, capital has largely accumulated within existing organisations rather than through a wave of new entrants, giving reinsurers multiple opportunities to deploy capital.

According to the report, casualty reinsurance is also emerging as an important strategic concern, with some reinsurers pursuing growth opportunities supported by enhanced rates, while others remain cautious amid uncertainty surrounding social inflation, litigation funding, larger jury awards and adverse legal environments.

“Casualty exposures often develop over many years, meaning that decisions being made today may not be fully understood until well into the next decade,” said AM Best director, Dan Hofmeister in a statement.

AM Best expects the non-life reinsurance market to maintain favourable earnings profiles barring an outsized catastrophe event, but says the ability to preserve underwriting discipline and pricing integrity amid record capital will be critical to sustaining recent profitability.

The report also noted that reinsurance renewal trends intensified during the April and midyear renewals, with United States (US) property catastrophe placements, led by Florida, recording widely estimated reductions of 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, US and Bermuda reinsurers have improved their combined ratios to the mid-80s to low-90s range under US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) from an underwriting loss position in 2020.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also increasingly expected to become a differentiating factor for reinsurers that successfully integrate the technology, although limited and inconsistent data can constrain model effectiveness while increasing exposure to cyber and systemic risks.

-- BERNAMA

SPACE42, AUTONOMOUS A2Z SIGN US$7 MLN AGREEMENT FOR UAE LEVEL-4 MOBILITY

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Space42, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artificial intelligence (AI)-powered SpaceTech company, and South Korea’s Autonomous A2Z (A2Z) have signed a US$7 million commercial agreement to deploy Level-4 autonomous mobility solutions in the UAE. (US$1=RM4.09)

In a statement, the company said this is the first commercial agreement under the two companies’ broader partnership and is a direct supply contract separate from the joint venture announced in 2025 to support the long-term commercialisation of intelligent mobility solutions in the UAE.

The agreement combines A2Z’s Level-4 autonomous driving technology with Space42’s AI, geospatial and connectivity capabilities. For A2Z, the agreement marks a step in its international expansion, while Space42 said it advances its efforts to enable safe and reliable driverless vehicle operations at scale.

Space42 chief executive officer (CEO) of Smart Solutions, Hasan Al Hosani said autonomous mobility is critical infrastructure for smart city development and that the UAE has created conditions for its integration into everyday transport.

Meanwhile, A2Z CEO, Han Ji-hyung said the agreement demonstrates that autonomous driving technology developed and validated in South Korea is ready for international deployment.

Pilot robo-shuttle services using A2Z’s ‘ROii’, along with other modified and retrofitted autonomous vehicles, will undergo operational testing and demand assessment. The companies expect the rollout to expand into demand-responsive transport (DRT) and tourism shuttle operations.

The project aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to advance AI-enabled transportation and intelligent mobility under its National Smart Mobility Strategy.

Space42 said its mobility portfolio includes TXAI, an autonomous taxi service that has travelled more than 600,000 kilometres (km) across 20,000 trips with zero recorded accidents since operations began in 2021.

A2Z has conducted autonomous driving trials across 13 cities and provinces in South Korea and operates 91 permitted autonomous vehicles with over 1.02 million km of cumulative driving experience. Commercial execution of the agreement was led by Autonomous to Global (A2G), A2Z’s Singapore-based joint venture with Kilsa Global.

-- BERNAMA

Mary Kay Reaffirms Global Women Empowerment Commitment

 

Mary Kay China supports the Hope for Pearl Program, providing financial assistance to girls from economically disadvantaged areas to receive a life-changing education, opening doors to new possibilities and bright futures. (Photo Courtesy: Mary Kay China)

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Mary Kay Inc has reaffirmed its commitment to enriching women’s lives worldwide through its signature Pink Changing Lives Program, a global initiative that combines purpose-driven giving with cause marketing to create meaningful and measurable impact across communities.

Mary Kay in a statement said since 1996, the programme has provided over US$230 million in monetary and product donations to nonprofit organisations that empower women, improve women’s health and safety, and protect natural resources. (US$1=RM4.08)

“Through Pink Changing Lives, every market, consumer, Independent Beauty Consultant and designated purchase has the power to uplift a woman, support a family, and strengthen a community.

“This programme reflects who we are at our core – a company committed to turning purpose into action and creating a world where every woman can thrive,” said Mary Kay Inc Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Allison Levy.

More than US$19 million has been channelled back into local communities through a portion of sales from designated products across participating markets.

According to Mary Kay, each purchase of a Pink Changing Lives-designated product directly contributes to charitable efforts, allowing consumers to participate in giving back through their everyday choices.

In China, Mary Kay beauty consultants help fund educational opportunities for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds through the Hope for Pearl Program, linking beauty experiences with life-changing access to education.

Its global outreach efforts in Germany include partnerships with organisations such as the Reiner Meutsch FLY & HELP Foundation, supporting education through the construction and renovation of 12 schools in underserved regions.

The company's partnership in Colombia with Fundación Colombianitos supports safe spaces for children, including the restoration of community facilities for after-school activities and youth development.

Present in 40 markets worldwide, Mary Kay ranked eighth among 5,500 brands on Forbes’ 2026 Best Brands for Social Impact list, improving from ninth place in 2025.

-- BERNAMA

PU Prime Expands Gold Trading with the Launch of XAUUSD247

EBENE, Mauritius, Aug 7 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold remains one of the world's most actively traded safe-haven assets, with prices continuing to respond rapidly to geopolitical developments, central bank policy decisions, inflation expectations and shifts in investor sentiment. Investors increasingly navigate markets that move around the clock, where PU Prime has introduced XAUUSD247, enabling clients to trade gold 24 hours a day, seven days a week on MT5.

Earlier this year, gold surged to nearly US$5,600 per ounce in January as investors flocked to safe-haven assets amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. While prices have since retreated from their peak, the World Gold Council's research notes that gold remains one of the top-performing assets over the past year.

"Gold CFDs have consistently been among the most actively traded products on the PU Prime platform," said Daniel Bruce, Managing Director at PU Prime. "With many factors continuing to influence prices at all times of the day, traders increasingly expect flexibility to react whenever opportunities arise. The launch of XAUUSD247 enables clients to trade gold CFDs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving them uninterrupted access to this precious metal."

The introduction of XAUUSD247 allows traders to access the gold market continuously throughout the week, including weekends, providing greater flexibility beyond conventional trading hours. As financial markets increasingly operate around the clock, PU Prime remains focused on delivering trading solutions that provide clients with greater flexibility, convenience and access to global opportunities.

About PU Prime

Founded in 2015, PU Prime is a leading global fintech company and trusted CFD broker. Today, it offers regulated financial products across forex, commodities, indices, shares, and bonds. Operating in over 190 countries with more than 40 million app downloads, PU Prime provides innovative trading platforms and an integrated copy trading feature, empowering traders worldwide to achieve financial success with confidence.

For media enquiries, please contact: media@puprime.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f315574d-1cf1-4071-a8f5-070032e191c6 

SOURCE: Pacific Union Seychelles Limited

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

Toshiba Unveils Secure Microcontrollers For IoT Devices

 

Toshiba: TXZ+™ Family Entry-Class M4V Group for IoT and industrial system control applications.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba) has announced the TXZ+ Family Entry-Class M4V Group, a new series of microcontrollers designed to enhance security and data management in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and industrial equipment.

In a statement, the company said engineering samples of the microcontrollers, which feature an Arm Cortex-M4 core with a floating-point unit (FPU), are now available.

The M4V Group incorporates a multilayered security architecture combining access control, memory protection and execution control functions to help safeguard systems against unauthorised access and program tampering.

Built for consumer and industrial equipment, the microcontrollers operate at frequencies of up to 80 megahertz (MHz) and integrate code flash memory, data flash memory and random access memory (RAM) to support secure storage of configuration and log data.

The devices also support over-the-air (OTA) updates and feature a serial memory interface for external flash memory, enabling efficient management of large-volume data and firmware in connected systems.

According to Toshiba, the microcontrollers include integrated peripherals for system control and brushless DC motor applications, while supporting a range of development tools, starter kits and software to facilitate product evaluation and application development.

The company said it will continue to expand its microcontroller portfolio and development resources to support secure and flexible system design for consumer and industrial applications.

-- BERNAMA

Cirrus Therapeutics Strengthens Its Position as a Next-Generation Global Ocular Immunology Leader with Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) Collaboration and Additional Financing

 

• Cirrus deepens expansion into Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region through collaboration with Singapore Eye Research Institute and Duke-NUS Medical School’s Centre for Vision Research to support research, clinical development and partnering activities
• Cirrus expands investor syndicate with new additions, including Cedars Sinai Intellectual Property Company, raising $14.7 million to date
• Cirrus continues to advance its lead program toward the clinic, a novel ocular gene therapy designed to restore IRAK-M in geographic atrophy patients
   

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and SINGAPORE, Aug 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cirrus Therapeutics, an ocular immunology biotech, today announced a collaboration with Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS). Cirrus also announced an expanded investor syndicate, including Cedars Sinai Intellectual Property Company, raising $14.7 million seed financing to date. These developments bolster Cirrus’ trajectory as a global ocular immunology company advancing first-in-class and best-in-class therapies to extend the ocular healthspan of patients with chronic blinding diseases.

“We are taking methodical steps to build an ocular immunology company that delivers global impact. Our collaboration with SERI and Duke-NUS exemplifies this strategy in action,” said Ying Kai Chan, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Cirrus Therapeutics. “We’re also pleased to fortify our investor syndicate with new additions, including strategic investors such as Cedars Sinai Intellectual Property Company as we continue to progress our novel ocular gene and cell therapy candidates toward the clinic.”

Cirrus’ lead program is a novel ocular gene therapy designed to restore IRAK-M, in order to prevent AMD progression and preserve central vision in GA patients.

SERI, the research institute of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), is the national ophthalmic research institute and ranks first globally by ophthalmology publications per capita. SERI and SNEC are part of SingHealth’s cluster of hospitals and specialist centres. Working closely with Duke-NUS’ Centre for Vision Research, SERI conducts research aimed at preventing blindness, low vision and major eye diseases affecting people in Singapore and Asia. Cirrus’ collaboration with SERI and Duke-NUS, supported by National Medical Research Council (NMRC)/National Health Innovation Centre Singapore (NHIC), accelerates the advancement of innovative ophthalmic technologies for treatment of blinding diseases to benefit more patients.

“The pioneering work by SERI, augmented by Duke-NUS, has contributed to important advances in how eye diseases are understood, treated and prevented in Asia and globally,” said Assistant Professor Hwee Goon Tay, Ph.D., Principal Investigator at SERI and Duke-NUS’ Centre for Vision Research, who is leading the collaboration. “Through this collaboration with Cirrus, we hope to accelerate the development of new therapies that can protect or restore sight for people living with serious retinal diseases.”

In March 2026, Cirrus announced the establishment of an R&D site in Singapore, complementing its UK science origins and US infrastructure and enabling access to Asia-Pacific, one of the fastest-growing biopharma markets. Cirrus concurrently announced a strategic partnership with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to develop impactful ophthalmic therapies.

“Over the past two decades, Singapore has established itself as a high-impact, global R&D hub, with ophthalmologic and retinal diseases being a key highlight,” said Professor Andrew Dick, MD, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Advisor of Cirrus, as well as Duke Elder Chair and Director of Institute of Ophthalmology, University College of London (UCL), and Head of Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, University of Bristol. “Cirrus’ presence and strategic partnerships in Singapore is the type of cross-border collaboration critical for addressing the massive, global unmet need presented by age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy.”

About Cirrus Therapeutics
Cirrus Therapeutics is a privately held ocular immunology-focused biotech with locations in the U.S. and Singapore. Cirrus is focused on revolutionizing the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), geographic atrophy (GA), and other chronic blinding diseases with groundbreaking cell and gene therapies to preserve sight, extend ocular healthspan, and enable a better quality of life as people age.

Our lead program is a preclinical stage, novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) ocular gene therapy designed to potentially reverse an underlying cause of dry AMD: loss of IRAK-M protein, a key immune regulator expressed in retinal cells. Our second program is a preclinical stage, next-generation RPE cell therapy to restore vision to patients with center-involving GA, an advanced stage of AMD.

Our investor syndicate includes ClavystBio, Polaris Partners, SEEDS (an investment arm of SG Growth Capital), Cedars Sinai Intellectual Property Company, and additional institutional investors.

For more information, visit us at www.cirrustx.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Liz Melone
liz@melonecomm.com 

SOURCE: Cirrus Therapeutics, Inc. 

--BERNAMA 

ALIXPARTNERS ACQUIRES AGENTIC AI CONSULTING FIRM ARTIUM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- AlixPartners has acquired Artium, an agentic artificial intelligence (AI) software consulting firm that develops enterprise AI agents for clients including BNY Mellon, Mayo Clinic and eBay, as the global consulting firm expands its AI capabilities.

In a statement, the company said Artium will continue operating as a distinct team within AlixPartners under the brand "Artium by AlixPartners", with its people, including its founders, methodology and research relationships remaining unchanged.

AlixPartners Co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rob Hornby said Artium has developed production-grade agentic AI systems and established strong relationships across leading AI research organisations, adding that the combination is expected to enhance the firm's ability to deliver business transformation for clients.

Meanwhile, Artium CEO and Co-Founder, Ross Hale said AlixPartners was selected as the next growth partner because of its understanding of Artium's business, technology capabilities and long-term opportunities, while also supporting the culture and values that have contributed to the firm's growth.

AlixPartners said the acquisition combines Artium's AI engineering capabilities with the firm's industry experience and is expected to create new opportunities to transform businesses and integrate technology across enterprises.

Founded 45 years ago, AlixPartners provides consulting services to companies across a range of industries, focusing on performance improvement, restructuring, transformation and technology-enabled business change.

-- BERNAMA

Kanadevia Inova Signs Concession Agreement for Its First Waste-to-Energy Plant in Africa

^{Artist’s impression of the Casablanca integrated Waste-to-Energy facility, combining waste treatment, renewable energy generation, and landfill management infrastructure}


- Contributing to Addressing Environmental Challenges in Casablanca, Morocco -


OSAKA, Japan, Aug 5 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kanadevia Inova AG (Switzerland; hereinafter “Inova”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kanadevia Corporation (TOKYO: 7004) engaged in the development, design, construction, maintenance and operation of waste-to-energy and biogas plants, has signed a concession agreement (long-term project operation agreement) for a 33.5-year waste-to-energy project in Casablanca, Morocco, covering the design, financing, construction and operation of the facility.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804844543/en/ 

Inova will carry out the project together with Nareva, a leading Moroccan integrated energy company, and ITOCHU Corporation. Inova will establish an SPC (Special Purpose Company) to implement the project while proceeding with EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) and long-term maintenance agreements.

The project will construct a waste-to-energy plant adjacent to Médiouna landfill, one of the largest landfill site in Africa. The facility will process approximately 1.5 million tonnes of waste per year and have a power generation capacity of approximately 126 MWe. The objective is to hygienically treat waste while effectively utilizing it as an energy resource.

The facility will incorporate advanced technologies, including Inova’s large-scale combustion and boiler systems and its proprietary Autaro™ automatic combustion control system. In addition, it will include a 50 MW solar power facility, a 4 MW landfill gas recovery and utilization facility and a leachate treatment unit. By reducing methane emissions, which have a global warming potential approximately 28 times greater than CO2, the project is expected to generate around 1 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the annual electricity demand of approximately one million people.

The facility has also been designed to enable the future introduction of carbon capture technologies (CCUS). By capturing, utilizing, or storing CO2 contained in flue gases, the project aims to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support long-term decarbonization.

Project Overview
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Processing Capacity: Approx. 1.5 million tonnes/year
Power Generation Capacity: Approx. 126 MWe
Scheduled Start of Operations: June 2030 (planned)

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804844543/en/ 

Contact

Mikie Okawa
Public Relations Section
Kanadevia Corporation
Tel: +81-6-6569-0076
Email: kouhou@kanadevia.com

Source : Kanadevia Corporation

LENDLEASE REIT REPORTS HIGHER 2H FY2026 REVENUE, DPU

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Lendlease Global Commercial Trust Management Pte Ltd, the manager of Lendlease Global Commercial REIT (Lendlease REIT), has announced its second half (2H) and full-year financial results for FY2026, with gross revenue rising 6.8 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to SG$110.0 million in 2H FY2026. (SG$1 = RM3.19)

In a statement, the company said net property income (NPI) for 2H FY2026 increased 6.6 per cent YoY to SG$78.7 million, driven by the acquisition of PLQ Mall and the performance of its Singapore retail assets, partially offset by the divestment of the Jem office.

Distribution per unit (DPU) for 2H FY2026 stood at 1.85 Singapore cents, bringing the full-year DPU to 3.70 Singapore cents, up 3.0 per cent YoY, supported by recurring earnings from a strong portfolio of operational assets in Singapore.

“FY2026 marked a year of meaningful progress for Lendlease REIT. We took decisive steps to strengthen our financial position through the successful divestment of Jem office, reducing aggregate leverage to 38.9 per cent and improving our interest coverage ratio to 2.1 times.

“Looking ahead, our enlarged Singapore retail portfolio provides a stronger platform for growth. We remain committed to disciplined execution, active asset management and capital stewardship as we pursue further DPU growth and long-term value creation in FY2027,” said the manager’s Chief Executive Officer, Guy Cawthra.

Property operating expenses increased by SG$1.4 million compared with FY2025, mainly due to the acquisition of PLQ Mall, partially offset by the divestment of the Jem office.

As at June 30, 2026, Lendlease REIT’s gross borrowings stood at SG$1.7053 billion, with a gearing ratio of 38.9 per cent. The weighted average cost of debt was reduced to 2.75 per cent per annum, while approximately 68 per cent of borrowings were hedged at fixed rates.

The manager also reduced its outstanding perpetual securities through refinancing exercises undertaken in April 2025 and June 2026, lowering the total quantum from SG$400 million to SG$240 million.

In the same period, Lendlease REIT’s portfolio committed occupancy stood at 94.6 per cent. Its retail portfolio maintained a strong occupancy rate of 98.5 per cent, while occupancy at the Milan office portfolio stood at 89.1 per cent.

The company will continue pursuing active asset initiatives to drive income growth by unlocking value through the reconfiguration of retail space at PLQ Mall and refreshing Discovery Walk to integrate with the multifunctional event space.

-- BERNAMA

2POINTZERO REPORTS STRONG FIRST HALF REVENUE, NET PROFIT

Samia Bouazza, CEO of 2PointZero (Photo: AETOSWire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Abu Dhabi-based investment holding firm, 2PointZero Group has reported revenue of 21.9 billion Emirati dirham and a group net profit of 7.7 billion Emirati dirham for the first half of 2026. (100 Emirati dirham = RM111.58)

The group said continued operational integration, wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and ongoing cost optimisation strengthened operational performance, lifting revenue while maintaining a blended gross profit margin of 29 per cent.

Net profit from the group's businesses increased 2,301 per cent year-on-year, driven by the consolidation of Tendam and the mega-merger that formed 2PointZero Group, new investments in African financial services, expansion into European packaging markets and steady operational progress across all business segments.

The strong performance was reflected in the group's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), which reached 5.0 billion Emirati dirham after excluding fair value changes and one-off items.

“As we enter the second half of the year, we continue to strengthen the platform for long-term growth. Nearly 10 per cent of our workforce consists of AI co-workers, embedded across the group to improve productivity, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen operational performance.

“Together with our disciplined capital allocation and strong financial position, this gives us confidence in our ability to create long-term shareholder value,” said 2PointZero Chief Executive Officer, Samia Bouazza in a statement.

The group's financial position remained strong, supported by cash holdings of 13.7 billion Emirati dirham and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, providing flexibility to manage risks, allocate resources efficiently and fund high-return investment opportunities globally.

Among its key developments, 2PointZero completed the sale of its entire 7.29 per cent stake in TAQA to Abu Dhabi Power and expanded its energy infrastructure portfolio through subsidiary ePointZero's acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in Traverse Midstream Partners.

The group also participated in the Series G funding round for WHOOP, a global health technology company, and acquired a 60.8 per cent controlling interest in Italy's ISEM Packaging Group for 704 million Emirati dirham.

Recognising its financial performance, 2PointZero ranked 36th on TIME's inaugural World's Growth Leaders 2026 list, reflecting its business growth, market performance and long-term financial stability.

-- BERNAMA