LG UPLUS KIDSTOPIA BAGS MSIT AWARD AT 2024 METAVERSE ALLIANCE CONFERENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- LG Uplus, one of South Korea's leading telecom carriers, has been awarded the Science and ICT Minister’s Award at the 2024 Metaverse Alliance and Self-Regulation Achievement Sharing Conference for its children's platform, ‘KidsTopia’.

LG Uplus’s Metaverse Project head, Kim Min-gu, expressed pride in the platform’s achievements, affirming the company’s commitment to advancing KidsTopia as a leading global platform that prioritises education, entertainment, and safety.

Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of the Republic of Korea, the conference recognises outstanding contributions to the growth of the metaverse ecosystem, bringing together experts from various sectors. This year’s event took place on Dec 11 at the Seoul Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

In a statement, LG Uplus said KidsTopia earned the Minister’s Award in recognition of its exceptional performance in such areas as User Protection, User-to-User Interaction and Collaboration, and Authenticity for Users.

KidsTopia was praised for its innovative approach in offering children educational experiences through engaging 3D virtual environments, powered by LG Uplus’s proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) technology, ixi.

The platform allows children to learn about diverse subjects, including foreign languages, animals, dinosaurs, and space, all while interacting with AI-powered characters.

KidsTopia’s child-friendly design and multilingual capabilities have driven its success, reaching over 900,000 global subscribers in just one year and seven months since its launch, gaining widespread popularity at home and abroad.

In addition to the MSIT recognition, KidsTopia was recently awarded the ‘Gold Medal’—the highest honour in the application category at the ‘2024 Mom’s Choice Awards’, a globally renowned certification programme for child-appropriate products, on Dec 4.

'Mom’s Choice', an international certification organisation, evaluates and recognises outstanding products based on the overall assessment of their quality, educational value, and originality, with input from educators and parents, as well as children.

-- BERNAMA

JIANGSU COMPLETES KEY WINTER PEAK LOAD PROJECTS, BOOSTING 2024 POWER SUPPLY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The capacity expansion project of the main transformer at the 500-kilovolt (kV) Shangdang Substation in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, was officially put into operation on Dec 16.

This marks the completion of all major projects aimed at addressing the 2024 winter peak load in Jiangsu Power Grid, according to a statement.

State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co Ltd Planning Division of the Construction Department Head, Chen Songtao stated that the full operation of 10 key winter peak load projects has significantly enhanced the province's grid network structure.

He explained that these upgrades meet the growing demand for large-scale grid connections for new energy in northern Jiangsu and strengthen the power supply in southern Jiangsu.

“It will effectively ensure the safe and reliable electricity use of enterprises and residents in Jiangsu during the winter," said Chen.

The company has also intensified control over crucial grid project nodes and refined its management to ensure these projects were operational before the peak of winter electricity demand.

From January to November, Jiangsu's social electricity consumption reached 773.949 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), a year-on-year increase of 8.99 per cent. For instance, in Zhenjiang, electricity consumption increased by 7.58 per cent, reaching 29.838 billion kWh.

To support this rise in demand, the Shangdang Substation project, which began in May, expanded the capacity of the number one main transformer from 750 to 1,000 megavolt-amperes. This increase in capacity is expected to meet the electricity needs of 3.3 million households, ensuring a steady power supply for Zhenjiang this winter.

Additionally, the 500-kV Haiyang Transmission and Transformation Project in Taizhou was the first major winter peak load project to be completed this year. As part of Jiangsu  Power Grid’s "14th Five-Year Plan", this substation will provide reliable electricity for about 4.38 million households annually.

-- BERNAMA

LUMI GLOBAL ACQUIRES ASSEMBLY VOTING TO STRENGTHEN PRODUCT LEADERSHIP AND ACCELERATE INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION

LIPHOOK, United Kingdom, Dec 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumi Global, a global leader in technology-driven meeting solutions across Annual General Meetings, Investor Relations, and Member meetings, proudly announces the acquisition of Assembly Voting, a technology company specializing in end-to-end verifiable, cloud-based elections and voting solutions via its proprietary platform, Electa. This strategic acquisition reinforces Lumi Global’s commitment to innovation while expanding its capabilities beyond the live meeting environment to new market opportunities.

Key Highlights of the Acquisition

1. Enhancing Product Leadership
   • Assembly Voting introduces advanced end-to-end verifiability to Lumi’s portfolio, ensuring secure, transparent, and verifiable election and voting processes for clients worldwide.
   • While Lumi Global has long offered anonymous voting solutions, Assembly Voting further elevates this capability with its advanced features, solidifying Lumi Global’s position as a leader in meeting technology and election solutions.
2. Strengthening Product Portfolio
   • The Electa platform is purpose-built for scheduled elections and asynchronous voting, complementing Lumi Global’s existing solutions designed for live meetings and synchronous voting.
   • With a focus on verifiability, security, and scalability, the Electa platform broadens Lumi’s ability to support organizations at every stage of their decision-making processes, both before and during key meetings.
3. Catalyzing International Expansion
   • This acquisition establishes Lumi Global’s presence in Denmark and Spain, opening new opportunities in these strategically significant markets.
   • Lumi Global is strategically positioned to deploy the Electa platform across its key markets in North America, EMEA, and APAC.
4. Driving Innovation with Expertise
   • The inclusion of Assembly Voting’s experienced development team enriches Lumi Global’s innovation pipeline, bringing new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
   • The Electa platform’s excellence is further validated by an independent study conducted by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which ranked it among the top electronic voting solutions globally out of 82 tools analyzed. KIT’s SECUSO (Security, Usability, Society) research group, renowned for its work in cybersecurity and usability, has emphasized Electa’s robust focus on these areas, reinforcing its credibility and leadership in the field. The full study is available here.

Leadership Perspectives

“This acquisition marks a bold step forward for Lumi Global, as we extend our product capabilities beyond the meeting day and into the wider elections market,” said Richard Taylor, CEO of Lumi Global. “The integration of Assembly Voting’s innovative technologies with Lumi’s Global platform will unlock new opportunities, ensuring we remain at the forefront of technology-driven meeting, election and voting solutions in Annual General Meetings, Investor Relations, and Member organization worldwide.”

“We are thrilled to join Lumi Global, a company whose vision and innovative approach align perfectly with ours,” said Jacob Gyldenkaerne, CEO of Assembly Voting. “This partnership not only expands the reach of our technology but also enhances our ability to serve an even more diverse, global client base with end-to-end verifiable election solutions.”

Supporting Lumi Global’s Strategic Goals

Lumi Global’s acquisition of Assembly Voting underscores its dedication to powering the meetings and elections that matter for trusted decisions worldwide. As live meetings and general assemblies transition to increasingly digital formats, elections have similarly evolved from traditional paper ballots to more secure and reliable digital platforms. This digital transformation creates the opportunity for a unified platform that seamlessly serves both needs. Lumi Global’s clients are increasingly seeking a comprehensive solution that delivers this integration.

About Lumi Global

Lumi Global powers the meetings and elections that matter for the world’s most trusted decisions, ensuring seamless, engaging experiences for in-room and online participants. Lumi Global’s cutting-edge technology and unique global presence empower informed decision-making across annual meetings, elections, member meetings, legislative meetings, IR meetings, and earnings calls. For over 30 years, Lumi has driven industry innovation, co-creating solutions with customers to simplify the complex and deliver stress-free, flawless meetings that foster accountability and meaningful engagement.

For more information, please contact:

Sylvie Harton
Chief Business Strategy Officer

sylvie.harton@lumiglobal.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b52aaa2-db1a-4f84-b5a9-de6d0e1e94b3 


SOURCE : Lumi Global

QIANHAI EMBRACES A BRIGHTER FUTURE ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF QIANHAI PLAN

AsiaNet 0200632

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 19, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

The Overall Development Plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (hereinafter referred to as the "Qianhai Plan") has marked its first anniversary since its release. Over the past year, Qianhai has stepped up efforts to build a pilot platform for comprehensive reform and innovation, a high-level portal for international openness, a leading area for deep integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and a hub for the high-quality development of modern service industries, driven by a more dynamic momentum of growth.
 
Deepening reform and expanding opening-up are both Qianhai's unique advantages and important missions. Statistics released by the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone shown that, for three consecutive years, Qianhai has been ranked No.1 in terms of the institutional innovation index of China's free trade pilot zones. Since the beginning of this year, Qianhai has launched 47 new institutional innovations, bringing the total to 882.
 
Speaking of institutional innovation, Kevin Qian, Chinese Principal of Harrow Shenzhen, shared his insights. "Since the Qianhai branch of Harrow International School was established, we have enjoyed numerous support policies, such as approval for land use, access to hardware facilities, and permission to expand enrollment. These policies enable us to better meet the education demands of high-caliber talent families. With the preferential policies and convenient services, the school can attract more excellent foreign managers and teachers," he said.
 
Qianhai has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most open regions in China in the new era. In the first 10 months of 2024, the import and export value of the Qianhai-Shekou area of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone reached 448.1 billion yuan, representing a 58.3% year-on-year increase and a record high.
 
The Qianhai Plan has endowed Qianhai with a new strategic role as a "leading area for deep integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong". When viewed from above, the building of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub (E-hub) resembles the traditional Chinese character for "dream", symbolizing the dream-chasing journey of youth from places such as Shenzhen and Hong Kong. As of early December 2024, the E-hub has incubated a total of 1,374 startup teams, including 955 from Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and overseas countries. Today, more than 9,000 Hong Kong-funded enterprises are registered here.
 
"As the forefront of Shenzhen's reform, Qianhai has become a land of opportunity for strengthening financial cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and supporting Hong Kong in consolidating its status as an international financial center," an executive of East Asia Qianhai Securities Co., Ltd. said in an interview.
 
Sun Jinjun, Chief Representative of the Holman Fenwick Willan LLP Shenzhen Representative Office, was impressed by the professional services that he received when setting up the office. "I often have colleagues from other countries and both Chinese and foreign clients attending meetings at our Qianhai office, and they often praise the office environment," he said. He also spoke highly of the increasingly convenient transportation here. "Many of my colleagues travel between Hong Kong and Qianhai on the same day, and the commute is quite convenient," he added.
 
Acting as a hub for the high-quality development of modern service industries is Qianhai's strategic positioning and source of competitiveness. Over the past year, Qianhai has delivered remarkable achievements and a promising future is expected.
 
Source: The Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone

SIMA.AI TEAMS UP WITH SYNOPSYS TO ACCELERATE AI-DRIVEN AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- SiMa.ai has collaborated with Synopsys to jointly deliver a new solution for automotive companies to accelerate the development of workload-specific silicon and software needed to power artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled features in next-generation automobiles.

“Collaborating closely with Synopsys allows us to provide automotive manufacturers with complete, optimised solutions that accelerate their development cycles.

“When combined with Synopsys' industry-leading IP and software, we will deliver a powerful foundation for innovation across auto OEMs in autonomous driving and in-vehicle experiences,” said SiMa.ai Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Krishna Rangasayee in a statement.

Meanwhile, Head of the Synopsys Product Management and Markets Group, Ravi Subramanian said: “Our leadership in architecture exploration, IP, and hardware-assisted verification, combined with SiMa.ai’s innovative performance and power-optimised ML capabilities, will enable customers to differentiate while continuing to meet stringent cost considerations and industry standards.”

The solution will combine Synopsys' best-in-class Electronic Design Automation (EDA), automotive-grade IP, and hardware-assisted verification solutions with SiMa.ai’s leading machine learning accelerator (MLA) IP and a complete ML software stack application development environment for maximum customisation of IP, subsystems, chiplets, and System-on-Chips (SoCs).

The integrated Synopsys and SiMa.ai solution will be designed to enable early architecture exploration, shift-left software development, cost-effective and differentiated in-vehicle experiences, and continuous upgradeability of automotive edge AI solutions.

SiMa.ai is the software-centric company that specialises in developing high-performance, power-efficient MLSoC solutions for the embedded edge, while Synopsys is a trusted partner to the worldwide automotive ecosystem.

The SiMa.ai tech stack emphasises flexibility, offering support for the widest number of models, sensors, and applications possible, and automatically optimises them for peak performance.

-- BERNAMA

Nikkei Online Edition Hits One Million Paid Subscribers, Achieving Landmark Milestone

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Nikkei Inc has announced its Nikkei Online Edition has surpassed one million paid subscribers, becoming the first domestic digital news media to achieve this significant milestone, according to a report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

The recent rapid growth has been driven by increased subscriptions in the corporate and education sectors. Nikkei continues to expand beyond its role, evolving from a key news source to an essential service for a broader audience.

Launched in 2010, the Nikkei Online Edition early success was driven by a strong uptake from individual subscribers, but in recent years, it has seen a rapid increase in adoption by corporations and the education sector.

Companies use the service as a source of essential information as well as for corporate training, while educational institutions are increasingly turning to it as a resource for inquiry-based learning.

This year, the number of paid subscriptions to Nikkei Online grew by 13 per cent, reaching 1.01 million, a 100,000 increase over December 2023, according to Nikkei in a statement.

Meanwhile, paid subscriptions to Nikkei's digital media subscriptions overall, including services such as the "NIKKEI Prime" series, exceeded one million in December 2023 and reached 1.17 million as of December this year.

With a total of 3.7 million paid digital subscriptions across its global platforms, including English-language media "Nikkei Asia" and the Financial Times (FT), Nikkei is now the third-largest paid digital news media provider globally, following the New York Times and Dow Jones, which publishes the Wall Street Journal.

Founded as a market news provider in Japan in 1876, Nikkei has grown into one of the world’s largest media corporations, with 37 foreign editorial bureaus and approximately 1,500 journalists worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

Millennials, Gen Z to Drive Global Beauty Market Growth, Says Generational Report

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Millennials are expected to lead global beauty spending, contributing US$193 billion, followed closely by Gen Z at US$158 billion, as unveiled in NielsenIQ (NIQ)'s new report forecasting the future of the global beauty market over the next decade. (US$1=RM4.42)

In collaboration with World Data Lab and SPATE, the comprehensive generational report highlights generational shifts in beauty preferences, spending, and behaviours, with Millennials and Gen Z at the forefront of growth.

The overall beauty market is projected to reach US$1.1 trillion, with an additional US$700 billion in growth by 2034, driven in large part by Asia, which will account for US$310 billion, according to a statement.

NIQ Beauty, Vice President, Claire Marty emphasised the importance of understanding generational differences to navigate this rapidly evolving industry, while brands are encouraged to move beyond a “one size fits all” approach and use data to address the specific needs and values of each generation.

The study revealed that Millennials, born between 1977 and 1995, will dominate beauty market growth in the next decade, surpassing Gen X as the leading spenders by 2034, representing 24 per cent of spending globally. Their spending is focused on skin and hair care, with a preference for natural ingredients in their beauty routine.

Millennials are also significantly influenced by TikTok trends, with #makeupover30 and emerging topics like Beef Tallow usage gaining traction. In terms of beauty services, Millennials in Europe are expected to allocate 57 per cent of their budgets to beauty services by 2034. 

Meanwhile, Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, will be the largest beauty spenders through 2034, with their spending set to increase by $150 billion. This generation is highly engaged across beauty categories, especially skincare, which will see the fastest growth at 4.9 per cent year over year (US$26.8 billion).

Gen X consumers tend to prioritise convenience, often shopping at one-stop locations, while also increasingly active on TikTok, with popular hashtags like #over40makeup.

The report underscores the importance of digital trends on platforms, revealing shifts in consumer behaviour and preferences. Both Millennials and Gen Z are placing greater emphasis on sustainability, with Millennials prioritising environmental impact and Gen Z seeking products that promote social equality.

NielsenIQ’s “Beauty Futures” report offers a detailed analysis of global beauty consumers, covering market projections, generational purchasing drivers, and emerging trends.

-- BERNAMA

Hong Kong to Ring in 2025 with Spectacular New Year Countdown Fireworks, Live Performances

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Hong Kong is set to light up the sky with a breathtaking New Year countdown fireworks display on Dec 31, as the world prepares to bid farewell to 2024.

This annual tradition has become a hallmark of the city’s festive spirit, drawing locals and visitors alike to the iconic Victoria Harbour for an unforgettable night of celebration and joy to welcome another journey around the sun, according to a statement.

Adding an unparalleled level of energy to the festivities, Crash Adams, a hit Canadian pop music duo from Toronto, will join the stage of Hong Kong countdown celebrations for the first time together with performances of local artists.

Guided by the theme ‘The Symphony of Happiness’, the fireworks display reflects the vibrancy and resilience of life in Hong Kong, delivering a powerful message to take into the new year, whereby attendees can expect a rich tapestry of colours and dynamic shapes inspired by the essence of life.

Beginning at the stroke of midnight and unfolding over 12 spectacular minutes, the fireworks display encompasses five distinct movements, namely Fire, Earth, Wood, Water, and Metal, each representing a vital element of existence.

Meanwhile, the grand finale, Light of Future (metal) will see bright multi-hued fireworks and iridescent clouds light up Victoria Harbour, embodying a courageous spirit for a shining future in the year ahead.

In addition, the stunning show will feature pyrotechnic effects launched from prominent rooftops along the skyline. This multi-layered approach ensures that the entire harbour is alive with colour and sound, creating an immersive atmosphere that will resonate throughout the city.

As part of the festivities, pre-show pyro-shooting stars and a giant countdown clock at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will further add to the excitement as the city celebrates the start of 2025.

-- BERNAMA

2024 CHINA-ASEAN MARATHON BLENDS SPORT WITH BREATHTAKING SCENERY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The 2024 China-ASEAN Marathon kicked off on Nov 24 at the Beibu Gulf Ocean Culture Park in Fangchenggang City, attracting over 20,000 participants from over a dozen countries and regions.

The event, held in the scenic coastal bay city, featured four categories, namely a full marathon, a half marathon, a 10-kilometre (km) fitness run, and a five-km fun run, according to a statement.

Both the full and half marathons started and ended at the Beibu Gulf Ocean Culture Park, passing iconic landmarks such as Egret Park, Fubo Cultural Park, Xiwan Scenic Area, Xianren Mountain Park, and the Zhenyuling Bridge.

The race course is designed to showcase the urban landscape and coastal scenery, highlighting the unique "sea, beach, and mountain" characteristics of Fangchenggang City.

The event successfully broadened its network of international connections, receiving strong support from several international friendship cities and the consulates general of ASEAN countries in Nanning, including Cambodia and Myanmar.

Meanwhile, international partners such as Yeongdong County in South Korea, Rzeszów in Poland, and Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam actively sent delegations to participate in and observe the race.

Additionally, international friendship cities such as Zhukovsky in Russia, Loei in Thailand, and Hai Phong in Vietnam have also sent congratulatory messages.

In the race itself, Kenyan runners dominated the competition, claiming victory in both the men’s and women’s marathon titles.

-- BERNAMA

EMGA ARRANGES US$ 30M DEBT FINANCE FOR UZBEKISTAN'S IPAK YULI BANK

LONDON, Dec 2 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) announces they have completed their first transaction in Uzbekistan securing US$ 30M from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund).

Commenting on the transaction, Ipak Yuli’s Chairman Mr.Saydakhmedov Saidabror said, “We are pleased to be the first private bank in Uzbekistan to sign an agreement with the OPEC Fund. This is an important step in supporting the development of the Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Business (MSME) sector in our country. We share common values with the OPEC Fund in fostering entrepreneurship and are confident that this partnership will lay the foundation for expanding our cooperation in the future, contributing to the further development of the economy and creating new opportunities for businesses.”

EMGA’s Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director Sajeev Chakkalakal said, “In spite of a challenging global macroeconomic environment, we are pleased to structure this transaction and facilitate Ipak Yuli’s continued vision to supporting SMEs in Uzbekistan, as well simultaneously help expand the presence of OPEC Fund’s on-going operations in the region.”

EMGA’s Head of Operations and Managing Director Jeremy Dobson added, “EMGA is delighted to have secured this financing for Ipak Yuli, the operation will further diversify their funding base and bodes well for the future.”

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “Our partnership with Ipak Yuli Bank reflects our targeted approach to support Uzbekistan’s private sector transformation. By facilitating access to finance for businesses, including those led by women, we are helping unlock their potential to contribute to the country’s sustainable economic growth. This partnership is not just about financing—it is about supporting a more dynamic and inclusive private sector that fosters economic opportunities and enhances the well-being of communities across Uzbekistan.”

Ipak Yuli is a joint-stock commercial-innovation bank in Uzbekistan. It was established in December 1990 and provides banking services to individual entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, state organizations and institutions, and to corporate customers. In addition to a wide range of banking services and credit operations, the bank carries out leasing, factoring and project financing operations, operations with cash and non-cash currency funds, operations on the stock market on behalf of clients 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49919

WIC28 IN RIYADH WRAPS UP WITH EMPHASIS ON GLOBAL COLLABORATION, INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- International collaboration, innovation and sustainability were the key themes of the 28th World Investment Conference (WIC28), hosted by Invest Saudi and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) concluded in Riyadh this week.

The event was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, expressing gratitude for the Crown Prince’s leadership and support.

Minister Khalid Al-Falih noted that the event reaffirmed the collective commitment to shaping a future defined by collaboration, innovation, and resilience, with significant agreements announced, including those under Saudi Arabia's Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.

He also thanked WAIPA for partnering in the event, stressing that the insights and partnerships forged would have a lasting impact on global investment.

Across three days, WIC28, under the theme of “Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth”, addressed challenges and opportunities that included digital transformation, sustainability, and localised value chains.

The conference highlighted Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as a transformative framework for aligning global partnerships, technological innovation, and sustainable development, according to a statement.

During the third day of the conference, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, spoke on the ‘Strategic Alliances: Leveraging Partnerships for Investment Success’ panel, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering global partnerships.

Saudi Arabia’s incentives, he noted, include its advanced infrastructure, both digital and physical, focused on manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics, which enable investors to reduce costs significantly.

Other sessions at the event included discussions on transparent collaboration and regulatory cohesion, operational excellence in Investment Promotion Agencies, and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to attract investments in specialised industries, particularly advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.

The event, held from Nov 25 to 27, reinforced Saudi Arabia's role as a leader in economic growth and global investment. The location of the next WIC remains undecided.

-- BERNAMA

WENZHOU CONFERENCE ON MARITIME SILK ROAD HIGHLIGHTS COOPERATION, INNOVATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- As 2024 draws to a close, the Maritime Silk Road marks another significant milestone with the 2024 Mayors Exchange Conference on Maritime Silk Road City Influence, taking place in the historic port city of Wenzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province for three days until Dec 1. 

This conference serves as a key platform to promote the Silk Road Spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and mutual benefits among cities along the Maritime Silk Road.

A highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the 2024 top 10 influential cities along the Maritime Silk Road, showcasing the accomplishments and charm of Chinese cities, according to a statement.

Wenzhou, with its rich 2,200-year history as a thriving port city, is a perfect host for the conference. The city’s Shuomen Ancient Port, uncovered through archaeology in 2021, underscores Wenzhou's historical importance to the Maritime Silk Road.

The conference will feature various events and activities that aim to establish a new international platform for communication and cooperation, with the Maritime Silk Road cities as the carrier, to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, arts, science education, healthcare, sports, and tourism.

Wenzhou, continuing its role as a bridge for East-West exchange, is committed to innovation and urban development. The city has attracted high-level international institutions and is expanding its transportation infrastructure to enhance connectivity.

It also boasts 30 sister cities, many along the Maritime Silk Road, and has been recognised for its contributions to international relations.

During this year's conference, Wenzhou will continue to invite officials from selected representative cities along the Maritime Silk Road to share their experiences in urban development through roundtable discussions, aiming to explore new opportunities for international cooperation.

The conference will also release a consensus on cultural exchange and innovative cooperation among Maritime Silk Road Cities, reinforcing the importance of the Silk Road spirit in the 21st century and fostering new opportunities for mutual benefit.

Wenzhou aims to use this conference to strengthen ties with other cities and build a brighter future for the Maritime Silk Road.

-- BERNAMA

NX BANGLADESH CARRIES OUT AID EFFORTS IN FLOOD-STRICKEN AREAS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express Bangladesh Ltd (NX Bangladesh), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings Inc, has carried out a relief distribution programme to assist communities in eastern Bangladesh devastated by severe flooding caused by heavy rains since mid-August.

In a statement, NX Bangladesh said it has distributed food, medical supplies, and conducted other relief efforts in the six sub-districts of Feni District, one of the hardest-hit flood districts.

Four employees transported relief supplies to areas lacking clean water and food due to flooded roads. Together with the residents, they provided food, emergency medicines, oral rehydration solution, drinking water, and other supplies to approximately 100 households.

The floods, which affected over 5.8 million people, damaged infrastructure, including highways, railways, and disrupted communication networks, isolating more than one million people.

NX Bangladesh will continue helping to improve the lives of locals through various initiatives. The entire NX Group sincerely hopes that the disaster-stricken areas will recover and rebuild as soon as possible.

It remains committed to fulfilling its responsibility for social development by connecting people, companies, and communities.

-- BERNAMA

INAUGURAL WIC HIGHLIGHTS SAUDI’S LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The 28th World Investment Conference (WIC) was officially launched today in Riyadh by Invest Saudi and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).

Themed ‘Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth: Scaling Investment Opportunities’, the first day brought together more than 2,000 attendees from 130 countries, including 30 ministers, to explore key strategies for overcoming global investment challenges and unlocking opportunities for the future.

Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih delivered the opening keynote, highlighting the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030 and its emergence as a global investment hub.

According to a statement, he identified the critical global trends shaping investment, such as the rise of green and blue economies, the impact of new technologies, the reconfiguration of global supply chains, and demographic shifts.

The Minister also shared impressive figures, noting that Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product (GDP) has grown by 70 per cent since the launch of Vision 2030 to US$1.1 trillion, with non-oil economic activities contributing half of that growth, while foreign direct investment (FDI) has tripled, with international investors increasing tenfold. (US$1=RM4.45)

Meanwhile, WAIPA President and Invest India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nivruti Rai also addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of collaborative global efforts to reshape economics and drive sustainable growth.

Day one panels covered topics such as the evolving role of emerging economies, FDI’s role in economic transformation, industrial policies aligned with investment promotion, and transformative innovations in climate action.

A panel featuring Saudi, Egyptian, and Tunisian ministers discussed how emerging economies are redefining the role of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and creating new opportunities for FDI amidst challenges like geopolitical shifts and sustainability goals.

The conference also featured a masterclass on artificial intelligence-driven analytics and virtual reality site visits, along with matchmaking sessions that connected investors with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and government representatives.

Minister Khalid Al-Falih also brought up the topic of supply chain resilience ahead of the Global Supply Chain Resilience Event (GSCRI) being held on the sidelines WIC tomorrow. The second day of the conference will focus on technology innovation, industrial transformation, and sustainable partnerships.

-- BERNAMA 

TABREED LEADS CRITICAL GLOBAL DIALOGUE ON SUSTAINABLE COOLING AT COP29 IN BAKU

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Tabreed, the United Arab Emirate’s international district cooling company, has successfully wrapped up its week-long activities at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

During the event, the company’s representatives delivered keynote addresses, participated in panel discussions, and presented their expertise, emphasising Tabreed’s leadership in the district cooling industry and its readiness to expand into new regions like Southeast Asia.

Tabreed chief executive officer, Khalid Al Marzooqi, highlighted the critical role of district cooling in achieving net-zero emissions, underscoring the company's ongoing commitment to global sustainability events like COP.

“District cooling’s energy efficiency brings huge benefits through large scale avoidance of carbon emissions, making it an essential player in the drive for net-zero,” he said in a statement.

Following a successful collaboration during COP28 in Dubai, Tabreed once again supported the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition as a Silver Sponsor of the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion in the Blue Zone.

As a strong advocate for UNEP's Global Cooling Pledge, Tabreed continues to lead the charge on decarbonisation, with this year’s pavilion hosting sessions focused on sustainable cooling practices for global legislators and developers.

During the event, Tabreed also showcased its award-winning G2COOL geothermal plant, which has garnered significant attention across Southeast Asia in recent months, due to its environmental and operational benefits, while interacting with audiences worldwide about the innovation.

-- BERNAMA

NURSERY RHYME INITIATIVE CELEBRATES 18 YEARS OF INSPIRING CREATIVITY, CULTURAL EDUCATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- A nursery rhyme creation and promotion activity called "China in Children's Chorus", which was introduced in 2006 in Tongzhou District, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, has caused a warm response in the local area.

According to a statement, the activity has also gradually developed into a bright business card for children's aesthetic education nationwide in the following 18 years.

Continuously being held since its inception, the activity attracted a wide participation of more than 7,000 primary and secondary schools inside and outside Jiangsu Province, and a total of 530,000 nursery rhyme works have been collected.

Children not only learn to create nursery rhymes, but also show their observation and creativity through this platform. They record the changes of society and the development of the times from their own perspective.

At present, the "China in Children's Chorus" activity has formed a brand of ideological education and art cultivation for children with Jiangsu as the centre and radiating influence to the whole country.

In the future, the activity will continue to adhere to the original intention to provide more opportunities for children to show themselves and create art, thereby nursery rhymes, a traditional art form, can shine more brilliantly in the new era.

-- BERNAMA

BEST'S MARKET SEGMENT REPORT: AM BEST MAINTAINS POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON DELEGATED UNDERWRITING AUTHORITY ENTERPRISES SEGMENT

OLDWICK, N.J., Nov 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best is maintaining its market segment outlook for the delegated underwriting authority enterprise (DUAE) segment at positive, citing its sustained growth and niche expertise, despite potential issues that could arise from capacity challenges and rapid growth.

The DUAE distribution channel continues to increase its market share, supported by strong and sustained premium growth globally. According to the Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Delegated Underwriting Authority Enterprises,” capacity for the DUAE segment has benefited from ongoing material growth in the excess and surplus (E&S) market, as elevated catastrophe activity and the regulatory environment continue to direct more premiums into surplus line businesses.

“The general optimism among insurers and reinsurers about DUAEs persists, with more strategic partnerships being formed between carriers and DUAEs,” said Yizhou Hong, senior financial analyst, AM Best. “These partnerships are generally longer-term and allow capacity support across lines of business, industries, and geographies, instead of simply by program.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49853

SHELL MALAYSIA'S ENHANCED LOYALTY PROGRAMME FUELS EVERYDAY SAVINGS FOR MALAYSIANS

^{The refreshed loyalty program now features a dynamic three-tier structure—Silver, Gold, and Platinum.}


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Shell Malaysia and BonusLink have unveiled their refreshed, rewards and loyalty program, inviting Malaysians to embark on a quest to maximize savings on everyday fuel and retail purchases at Shell stations nationwide. 
 
As Malaysia’s leading rewards and loyalty program with over 14.9 million members, Shell and BonusLink’s refreshed loyalty program, now features a dynamic three-tier structure—Silver, Gold, and Platinum. This exciting upgrade allows members to multiply their rewards by up to five times, making premium benefits more accessible than ever before. 
 
The revamped program enables members to unlock enhanced rewards based on their tier level: silver members earn 1.5X points, gold members receive 3X points, and platinum members can multiply their rewards by up to 5X points per litre when refueling at Shell as well as in-store purchases. Additionally, the reward refresh period has been extended to two months, giving members more time to accumulate points and maximize their benefits. 
 
To further enhance this experience, members are encouraged to switch to Shell App for payments, to unlock exclusive rewards that significantly surpass those offered by the physical card. It also streamlines the earning and redeeming process while offering unparalleled convenience.

“For years, loyalty programs have been part of the brand-customer relationship, but at Shell, we’re focused on making sure our customers get tangible value every time they visit. Together with BonusLink, we’ve refreshed our rewards program to benefit everyone, not just the big spenders. With each stop at Shell, your rewards multiply, made even more seamless through the Shell App. 
 
Since we launched Shell App in 2023, we’ve received tremendous feedback on how we can enhance the payment experience. We’re excited to soon roll out an upgraded Shell App, making it the preferred way to pay for fuel at Shell. This update reinforces our commitment to providing greater value to customers, ensuring that every ringgit spent delivers more benefits and a smoother, more rewarding experience,” said Seow Lee Ming, General Manager of Shell Malaysia. 
  
What truly sets Shell apart is its strategic partnership with BonusLink, offering members access to a network of over 20 companies and more than 3,000 outlets across Malaysia. This collaboration means that Shell customers aren't just earning rewards at fuel stations but can redeem points across various retailers, making it the only fuel rewards programme that extends its benefits beyond fuel. 
 
Shell Malaysia's revamped loyalty programme is now live. Download Shell app now and visit your nearest Shell station to enter the world of multiplying rewards. 
 
For more information, visit https://www.shell.com.my/.  
 
SOURCE : Edelman Public Relations Worldwide Sdn. Bhd.

CLOUDERA TO ACQUIRE OCTOPAI'S PLATFORM TO DELIVER TRUSTED DATA ACROSS THE ENTIRE HYBRID CLOUD DATA ESTATE

Octopai’s best-in-class data lineage and catalog platform to provide discoverability, quality, and governance for enterprises to enhance data-driven decision making

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, announced that it entered into a definitive agreement with Octopai B.I. Ltd. (Octopai) to acquire Octopai’s data lineage and catalog platform that enables organizations to understand and govern their data. The transaction will significantly add to Cloudera’s data catalog and metadata management capabilities.

Enterprises are under increasing pressure to incorporate data-driven decision-making into their business operations. They want to utilize their data for AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics initiatives, requiring a comprehensive data intelligence strategy to find all the relevant, contextual, and trusted data across the company. But for many enterprises—particularly those in finance, healthcare, retail, and telecommunications that deal with highly regulated, sensitive, and voluminous data—having a complete purview of the entire data estate still proves challenging as they require capabilities over multiple data solutions across hybrid environments.

“As data-driven organizations adopt hybrid, distributed data architectures, being able to automatically manage metadata is critical to providing a unified self-service view of the data,” said Sanjeev Mohan, principal analyst at SanjMo. “Unified metadata strategies lead to analytic insights that data consumers trust. They also ensure security, increase governance, and provide a consistent view across the entire data estate. Augmenting Cloudera’s data management, governance, and AI capabilities with Octopai’s enterprise-ready, multi-layered data lineage over 50 data source connectors, and automated metadata management leads to a comprehensive metadata and data intelligence solution.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49792

MILBROS UV GRAPHS REVOLUTIONISES TANK CLEANING PRACTICES ACROSS GLOBAL FLEETS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Milbros, a Veson Nautical solution and the industry’s most reliable and extensive database of liquid bulk products, has launched Milbros UV Graphs, a product aimed at revolutionising traditional tank cleaning practices across fleets worldwide.

“Maritime shipping companies are facing increased pressure to limit their time at port and maximise cost savings.

“Milbros UV Graphs offers charterers, shipowners, and surveyors a safer, more efficient approach which maintains compliance while growing their bottom line,” said Milbros Principal Product Manager, Captain Caspar Lavall.

Milbros UV Graphs have been developed to work with a spectrophotometer, a machine now being installed on ships that accepts a sample of the residue or wash water from the tank. The machine measures the absorbance of light at different wavelengths, including the ultraviolet (UV) range.

Partnered with a UV graph, the data shows how much UV light is absorbed at specific wavelengths, helping to identify any remaining tank contaminants, in which Milbros currently offers at least 250 of these UV graphs, with the number expected to rise.

According to a statement, clients can download the required chemical chart and use the onboard spectrophotometer to create a graph.

If the graph’s reading is below 100 parts per million (ppm), the tank is clean. Otherwise, the graph will indicate how much contaminant could still be present, allowing the cleaning team to accurately calculate how much more cleaning needs to be done.

The use of Milbros UV Graphs complements traditional chemical tanker cleaning methods, which require crews to enter confined spaces to sample various sections of the tank, exposing them to harmful chemicals.

Reduces the number of tank entries by allowing operators and crew to perform most of the inspections remotely, its UV Graphs is also trusted by many surveyors as a valid proof of tanker inspection and are speeding up the approval processes by allowing operations teams to submit results via email.

-- BERNAMA

NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS UNVEILS NEW NAME, LOGO FOR ALKALI-RESISTANT GLASS FIBRE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Japanese glass manufacturer, Nippon Electric Glass Co Ltd (NEG) has announced a new name and logo for its alkali-resistant glass fibre (ARG Fiber) product range.

This represents a new stage in the over 40-year history of ARG Fiber, in which during this time has contributed to many architectural and civil engineering projects.

The new name, WizARG is coined from "Wizard" and "ARG Fiber", and it conveys the sense of freedom to create magically, according to the company in a statement.

Developed and produced based in Japan, WizARG has been widely used in the construction and civil engineering fields. It contains a high percentage of zirconia, which enhances its resistance to alkali in cement composites.

NEG provides a stable supply from its sales locations around the world and develops various shapes and proposes products that suit its customers' applications. It will continue to protect the creativity and value of architecture, civil engineering, and a wide variety of other sculptures around the world.

The company has been manufacturing and selling ARG Fiber for over 40 years, and with its achievements and experience, as well as the introduction of a new product name and logo, the company aims to provide customers with products that better meet their needs.

Furthermore, NEG will actively expand in the global market and provide product quality and reliability to customers worldwide.

It will continue to strive for sustainable growth while aiming to improve customer satisfaction. Additionally, through the introduction of a new name and logo, it will achieve further expansion and establish itself as a leading company in the global market.

-- BERNAMA

ICEF2024: INITIATIVE TOWARDS GREEN TRANSFORMATION REALISATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The 11th Annual Meeting of the "Innovation for Cool Earth Forum" (ICEF2024) that took place in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct 9-10, gathered approximately 1,700 participants from 93 countries and regions.

Held as a hybrid event with online sessions, it is an initiative of "Tokyo GX Week" toward realisation of green transformation (GX) for transition to a clean energy-based economy, society and industrial structure, leading to decarbonisation and economic growth.

Organised by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), ICEF2024 featured 13 sessions.

According to a statement, ICEF2024 is an international forum where world leaders from industry, academia and government discuss technological innovation, which holds the key to address global warming.

In the keynote sessions, the speakers presented a dialogue, lectures and a video message, focusing on innovation, which is necessary to advance toward the achievement of carbon neutrality as the world continues to confront various difficulties.

In each session, the focus was on green innovation, which will be the key to solving the problem of global warming, under the main theme of “How to Live within the Planetary Boundaries of Green Innovation”.

The topics discussed included planetary boundaries and the energy transition, climate change stabilisation technologies such as carbon dioxide removal, hydrogen readiness and nuclear energy.

In addition, a draft of the "Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Change Mitigation 2.0" version roadmap was also released, while the final roadmap will be released at COP29, taking place in the Republic of Azerbaijan on November this year.

-- BERNAMA

THREDD RELEASES EXPERT GUIDE FOR U.S. ISSUANCE VIA BIN SPONSORSHIP

Developed for new market entrants, the 22-page report provides important facts and expert insights to inform a journey to the American payments sector.

LONDON, Oct 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Thredd, a leading next-generation global payments processor, today released “Launching in America. A guide to issuing via BIN sponsorship.” a complimentary report for programme managers and fintechs considering expansion into the American payments market.

Filled with important facts and expert insights into the challenges and requirements faced by foreign entities, the guide is a must-have for global payments executives and any organisation considering bringing their payments-related value proposition to the U.S.

“Entering the U.S. payments market can be challenging. Having successfully helped our clients make the journey, we've created this guide to share some of the key facts and learnings,” said Jim McCarthy, CEO of Thredd. "Passporting programmes into the U.S. is complex, but with a well-considered plan, forward-thinking organisations can rapidly expand their business.”

Contents of the guide include:

· Why the American market?
· Current regulatory and business climate
· Key parties and their roles
· Requirements and due diligence
· Evaluating and being evaluated by BIN sponsors
· Definitions, checklists and regulatory primers
· Go to market
· Takeaways
 

To download a free copy of the guide, visit https://bit.ly/Launching-in-America.

About Thredd:

Thredd is the trusted next-gen payments processing partner for innovators looking to modernise their payments offerings worldwide. We process billions of debit, prepaid and credit transactions annually, serving over 100 fintechs, digital banks, and embedded finance providers, from consumer to corporate, across 44 countries.

Thredd’s unique offering is its client-centric approach, combining hands-on support with modern, reliable, and scalable technology. Thredd’s assured solution accelerates the development and delivery of consumer and corporate payments components embedded within digital banks, as well as for expense management, B2B payments, crypto, lending, credit, Buy Now Pay Later (“BNPL”), FX, remittance, and open banking innovators. By partnering with our clients from concept to creation with our easily configurable solutions, we allow these leaders the agility to achieve their core business aspirations.

Thredd has enabled market leaders since 2007 and has a highly reliable platform with 99.99% availability. Thredd’s highly customisable solutions on our API-first platform, surrounded by our in-depth industry expertise, value-added services, global presence, and technical resilience, are designed to scale with ease. Thredd is certified by Visa and Mastercard to process transactions globally and has branded offices in London, Newcastle, Singapore, and Sydney, with remote colleagues based all over the world.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241023635444/en/ 

Contact

press@thredd.com

Source : Thredd 

--BERNAMA

Imminent Surge In US Power Demand Challenges Utilities Companies - Wood Mackenzie

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Wood Mackenzie in its latest Horizons report revealed that the United States (US) power demand is set to soar for the first time in decades, with growth between four per cent and 15 per cent through 2029, depending on the region.

According to the report, “Gridlock: the demand dilemma facing the US power industry”, the growth in electricity demand is driven by the rise of data centres, a resurgence in manufacturing, and greater electrification in transport and heating.

Moreover, individual utilities may be facing even steeper increases as the demand being added to the grid is not evenly spread and one large load can have a significant impact on the growth of individual utilities.

All of this will prove a major challenge for utilities to adapt and provide interconnection and new supply, as well as companies with large electricity needs to sustain growth, according to a statement.

Data centres and the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry have become main drivers of activity, with Wood Mackenzie identifying 51 gigawatts (GW) of new data-centre capacity announcements since January 2023.

In the report, Wood Mackenzie has considered a scenario in which electricity demand from data centres grows by a mid-range estimate of 15 per cent per year over the next five years, which is about 25 GW of new data centre capacity.

Data centres will be competing with a resurgence in US manufacturing, particularly in the areas of battery, solar wafers and cells and semiconductors, which are projected to add up to 15,000 megawatts (MW) of high-load-factor demand over the next few years.

Lastly, the wider electrification of the economy will drive demand, with electric vehicle use continuing to grow and electrolysers connecting to the grid potentially adding another 7,000 MW of demand through 2030.

Many constraints are impacting the system’s ability to meet this demand growth, such as coal plant retirements, the lack of transformers and breakers needed to interconnect new plants and large loads, and the slow pace at which interconnection studies are completed and transmission capacity is added to the grid.

Furthermore, from now to 2030, Wood Mackenzie forecasts annual utility-scale renewable additions to grow from around 29 GW to 40 GW per year.

The report concludes that transmission planning, permitting and construction are the biggest bottlenecks to meeting future demand growth. It will take an integrated approach from utilities, regulators and policymakers to meet this challenge and buildout needed to protect US national security, boost strategic economic growth and decarbonise the power sector to address climate change.

-- BERNAMA

H2O.AI UNVEILS COMPACT, COST EFFICIENT MULTIMODAL FOUNDATION MODELS FOR DOCUMENT AI

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- H2O.ai, the leader in open-source generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), announced H2OVL Mississippi 2B and 0.8B, two powerful new multimodal foundation models designed specifically for optical character recognition (OCR) and Document AI use cases.

Compact yet highly efficient, the H2OVL Mississippi foundation models represent a significant advancement in AI, delivering unmatched performance for vision and OCR tasks in enterprise environments.

“We have designed H2OVL Mississippi models to be a high-performance yet cost-effective solution, bringing AI-powered OCR, visual understanding, and Document AI to businesses.

“By blending state-of-the-art multimodal AI with extreme efficiency, H2OVL Mississippi delivers precise, scalable Document AI solutions across a range of industries,” said H2O.ai chief executive officer and founder, Sri Ambati in a statement.

Available now on Hugging Face, H2OVL Mississippi 2B and 0.8B offer enterprises an economical solution with efficiency and accuracy for real-time document analysis and image recognition, making it easier to integrate powerful, lightweight AI into workflows that require top-tier OCR and document understanding.

Key features of H2OVL Mississippi 2B and 0.8B are lightweight model, multimodal mastery, tailored training, and real-time efficiency.

H2OVL Mississippi 2B builds on the legacy of H2O Danube2 with a robust 2.1 billion parameter model optimised for lightweight deployment and specialised multimodal architecture that blends language and computer vision to meet the growing demand for more economical multimodal OCR.

Meanwhile, built on the Danube3 0.5B, H2OVL Mississippi 0.8B model, pre-trained on 11 million conversation pairs and fine-tuned with an additional eight million, surpassed all comparable SLMs in the market on OCR benchmarks, delivering unmatched performance on text recognition.

-- BERNAMA

LENOVO NAMED OFFICIAL FIFA TECHNOLOGY PARTNER

 

Lenovo named Official FIFA Technology Partner to enhance fan experiences and global broadcasts. (Graphic: Business Wire)

· Agreement covers FIFA World Cup 2026™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ and was revealed on stage at Lenovo’s annual Tech World innovation event
· Lenovo to provide FIFA technology – from AI (Artificial Intelligence) innovation to devices and data center infrastructure – to enhance fan experiences and global broadcasts
· Lenovo and FIFA to leverage technology and innovation to grow the game globally 

SEATTLE, Oct 16 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- At Lenovo’s annual Tech World innovation event, Lenovo and FIFA have revealed the multinational company as Official FIFA Technology Partner – FIFA’s top tier sponsorship category – in a deal that includes the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Brazil.
 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241015870640/en/

The two tournaments will provide the perfect platform for Lenovo to further grow its global brand among fans of the world’s most popular sport and, more importantly, deliver integrated and innovative technologies that will make football more accessible and more engaging for all, growing the game around the world.

Lenovo’s products, services and solutions, including its emerging suite of innovations that both leverage and power AI (Artificial Intelligence), iconic ThinkPad laptops, tablets, Motorola mobile phones, and servers, will be integrated into the 2026 and 2027 tournaments. The technology will power improved fan experiences in stadiums and global broadcasts, power enhanced analytics, and democratize data across all global football-playing nations.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49527

MAVENIR SNAGS MOST INNOVATIVE CLOUD PRODUCT AT NETWORK X AWARDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Mavenir, a pioneer in cloud-native network infrastructure, has been recognised as a global leader in telecom innovation, winning the esteemed 2024 Network X Award for Most Innovative Cloud Product.

According to Mavenir in a statement, this accolade reaffirms the company's excellence in delivering cutting-edge Cloud-Native Automation solutions to mobile network operators (MNOs).

This recognition also solidifies Mavenir's leadership in automating cloud-native 5G network deployments, empowering MNOs to accelerate time-to-market and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).

Mavenir Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, Bejoy Pankajakshan said: “Our solution simplifies and accelerates network and services deployment, providing a cost-effective path to 5G.

“By reducing time, cost, and resource requirements, our customers can quickly implement new innovations and features, staying ahead in a rapidly evolving market.”

Mavenir’s Cloud-Native Automation empowers MNOs to accelerate their 5G transition. The solution provides end-to-end automation and orchestration of network functions software deployment and lifecycle management, enabling faster network deployment, enhanced flexibility, and seamless scaling.

The company’s industry-leading cloud-native automation slashes service deployment time by up to 92 per cent, reducing manual labour by up to 80 per cent for network deployment and operations.

Building on its momentum, Mavenir adds this award to its impressive track record, having previously received the 2023 Network X Award for Outstanding Automation Solution in Open RAN.

The award honours the network cloud-based product that has delivered the biggest change in network performance for MNOs and the judges evaluated Mavenir's cloud-native 5G automation solution based on five key criteria.

The judges assessed Mavenir's solution for its level of innovation, impact of cloud technology on network performance, time and cost-efficiency of deployment, operational efficiency, and relevance and effectiveness demonstrated through real-world case studies.

-- BERNAMA

FOREVERGONE IS PROVEN TO REMOVE AND COMPLETELY DESTROY PFAS IN INDUSTRIAL AND MUNICIPAL APPLICATIONS.

^{Gradiant's ForeverGone all-in-one solution and testing data for industrial wastewater (Photo: Business Wire)}



Gradiant announces unique in-house testing capabilities demonstrating PFAS removal to levels below US EPA and European regulatory limits.


BOSTON, Oct 9 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Gradiant, a global solutions provider for advanced water and wastewater treatment, announced today a major milestone in the fight against PFAS contamination, a forever chemical. Working with contaminated industrial, municipal, and landfill waters, ForeverGone^TM has been quantifiably proven, through multiple third-party accredited laboratories, to reduce PFAS to levels below regulatory limits and destroy the resulting PFAS concentrate completely.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241008540101/en/

 

This milestone in development confirms ForeverGone, introduced earlier this year, as the only all-in-one solution capable of removing and destroying PFAS on-site, eliminating the need for waste handling, landfilling, or incineration, differentiating it from conventional technologies, including granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion exchange.

The containerized ForeverGone solution is deployed quickly and commissioned on-site to effectively reduce PFAS to levels below the U.S. EPA's new maximum contaminant level of 4.0 ppt, and the strict limits set by European and Australian regulations.

“Key decision makers appreciate ForeverGone's differentiated proposition to remove and destroy PFAS from all types of contaminated waters,” said Sankar Natarajan, Global Head of Sales at Gradiant. "We're experiencing an unprecedented sales velocity from first engagement to full-scale project deployment across multiple industrial sectors, including semiconductors, food & beverage, mining, and major municipal utilities, all striving to meet regulatory requirements and safeguard their communities."

"To support the development of ForeverGone, we have made a significant investment in the Gradiant Labs' capability to detect PFAS down to just one part per trillion, which uniquely enables us to rapidly offer customer partners the proof they seek of the effectiveness of our technology on their contaminated water," said Steven Lam, Head of Technology at Gradiant.

Gradiant is actively deploying the ForeverGone solution at customer partner sites worldwide, offering them the significant advantage of all-in-one PFAS removal and destruction. Forever.

Are you interested in ForeverGone for your site? Gradiant has introduced a free testing program to demonstrate ForeverGone's ability to treat a wide range of contaminated waters. Interested parties should contact Gradiant at http://www.gradiant.com/contact.

About Gradiant

Gradiant is a Different Kind of Water Company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions for advanced water and wastewater treatment powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients' mission-critical operations in the world's essential industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, lithium and critical minerals, and renewable energy. Gradiant's innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 1,000 employees worldwide. Learn more at gradiant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241008540101/en/

Contact

Corporate
Felix Wang
Gradiant, Global Head of Brand and PR
fwang@gradiant.com

Source : Gradiant