QUANTEXA BAGS DUAL RECOGNITION FROM CHARTIS FOR AML, KYC SOLUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Quantexa, a global pioneer in Decision Intelligence, has been recognised as a Category Leader in Chartis’ RiskTech Quadrant for anti-money laundering (AML) transaction monitoring solutions and RiskTech Quadrant for KYC Solutions, 2025.

The dual recognition by Chartis underscores its expanding influence in helping the world’s largest financial institutions reduce risk, fight financial crime, transform compliance, and scale artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly.

“Being recognised as a category leader in AML, KYC, fraud, risk, and customer intelligence highlights the value of a holistic approach and a strong financial crime compliance foundation that helps organisations grow safely.

“Chartis’s recognition of trusted data as the basis for effective AI aligns with our mission to fix an organisation’s data, which then unlocks multiple enterprise use cases,” said Quantexa Chief Product Officer (FinCrime), Alexon Bell in a statement.

Quantexa’s recognition as a Category Leader reflects its alignment with key AML market trends identified by Chartis, including explainable AI, real-time behavioural monitoring, and contextual risk intelligence. 

By enabling banks to connect and contextualise internal and external data at scale, Quantexa helps reduce false positives, strengthen investigations, and accelerate customer onboarding, all while meeting the rising regulatory expectations for transparency and model governance.

Also named a Category Leader in Chartis’ RiskTech Quadrant for KYC Solutions, 2025, Quantexa earns top scores for customer profile enrichment and KYC scoring, highlighting its ability to integrate internal and external data, workflow automation, and case management into a unified platform, enabling perpetual KYC monitoring and advanced risk scoring.

Quantexa’s Category Leadership further underscores the strength of its Decision Intelligence platform, which supports diverse use cases and provides banks with a unified solution that helps reduce total cost of ownership.

-- BERNAMA

Tokyo Crowned Best Overall Destination At Inaugural TOURISE Awards

 

His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and TOURISE Chairman, celebrates with the winners of the TOURISE Awards 

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Tokyo, Japan, has been named the Best Overall Destination at the inaugural TOURISE Awards, recognising global destinations that are redefining exploration, hospitality and cultural connection for the modern traveller.

The awards ceremony took place during the first-ever TOURISE Summit, held under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In addition to the top honour, Tokyo also won the Best Food & Culinary and Best Entertainment destination, underscoring its global reputation as a centre of innovation, creativity and unforgettable experiences.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism and TOURISE Chairman, Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the award-winning destinations represent the transformative power of tourism in fostering creativity and cultural exchange.

“Tonight’s winners are living inspirations that unite cultures and spark imaginations. Each reflects what today’s traveller seeks — authenticity, creativity and experiences that connect people to place and purpose,” he said in a statement.

The TOURISE Awards celebrate destinations that have elevated culture, adventure and lifestyle through immersive experiences, culinary excellence, and creative placemaking, chosen from a diverse pool of global nominees submitted by travellers and industry leaders.

This year’s winners include New York, United States, which was named Best Arts & Culture Destination for its vibrant arts scene; Ancash, Peru, which earned Best Adventure Destination for its breathtaking Andean landscapes; and Paris, France, which received Best Shopping Destination for its blend of heritage and contemporary fashion.

The gala dinner, held at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton, featured a menu curated by Saudi chef Nawal Alkhalawi and a live performance by international vocalist Loren Allred, who wore a gown by Saudi designer Mashael Al Faris with jewellery by Saudi brand A Piece of Art (APOA).

The jury panel comprised former leaders from Forbes Travel Guide, Michelin Guides, Tate Modern, Condé Nast and the British Fashion Council, representing global expertise across travel, fashion, culture and entertainment.

With the 2025 TOURISE Awards concluded, organisers said a new benchmark has been set in celebrating destinations that combine innovation, inclusivity and authenticity — defining the next era of global tourism excellence.

-- BERNAMA 

TOURISE Destination Initiative Calls for Global Action for Urban Tourism Safety Through AI

 

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TOURISE, launches the TOURISE Destination Initiative, a global coalition to shape the future of tourism through a destination-centric approach, with co-chairs H.R.H. Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Aseer Province, and Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of Venice. They are joined with the TDI founding members and mayors

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Launched today at the TOURISE Summit, the TOURISE Destination Initiative (TDI) brings together global leaders from government, international organizations, academia, and the private sector, to transform destinations into living laboratories for tourism innovation. Guided by its Declaration of Principles, TDI champions safety, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community-centered development through responsible technology and multi-sector collaboration.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113796086/en/ 

TDI is co-chaired by Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Aseer Province, and Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of Venice, and founding members include:

·  Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, Republic of South Africa
·  Mateo Julián Estrella Durán, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Ecuador
·  Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Maldives
·  Francis Suarez, Mayor of Miami, United States
·  Mohamed Sefiani, Mayor of Chefchaouen, Morocco
·  Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, UN Tourism
·  Arnaud Ngatcha, Deputy Mayor of Paris
·  Iván Azurdia, Director of Tourism Development, Guatemala Institute of Tourism
·  Jordan Tan, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Data Officer, Singapore Tourism Board
·  Jon Berroya, Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google
·  Mauricio Rodas, Visiting Scholar, University of Pennsylavnia
·  Matthijs Bouw, Founder, One Architecture and Urbanism
 
TDI’s first project, “AI for Tourism Safety,” aims to promote the responsible deployment of AI in TDI member destinations. The project builds on insights from Surveillance or Safety? How Cities are Rewriting Tourism, a white paper by the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR). Authored by Mauricio Rodas—Visiting Scholar at Penn IUR and former Mayor of Quito—the paper explores the ethical and operational challenges of AI in urban tourism and was launched alongside TDI.

“As destinations, we carry the responsibility of protecting what makes us unique, our people, our heritage, and our future,” said His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Aseer Province and Co-Chair of the TOURISE Destination Initiative. “Through TDI, we are creating a shared space for cities to lead; by embracing innovation rooted in ethics and empathy, we ensure that tourism becomes a force for safety, dignity, and sustainable development.”

“Urban destinations are the heartbeat of the global tourism industry, and it is imperative that no city, anywhere in the world, ever feels unsafe for its visitors or residents,” said His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TOURISE. “With the TOURISE Destination Initiative, we are calling on cities to lead with integrity. Safety innovations must be anchored in responsible governance. By applying technology with foresight, we protect travelers and reinforce the trust that defines the future of tourism.”

As cities face rising crime, digital threats, and traveler anxiety, TDI will guide the ethical adoption of AI to enhance safety while establishing new benchmarks for transparency and trust.

Mauricio Rodas added, “Although nine out of ten mayors express interest in integrating artificial intelligence into city management, only 2 percent of cities are actively deploying it for safety, mainly due to a lack of policy and regulatory frameworks. TDI’s AI for Tourism Safety project is designed to close that gap by offering practical guidance for cities to protect everyone who calls a destination home, whether permanently or temporarily.”

About TOURISE

TOURISE is the world’s premier platform shaping a new horizon for global tourism.

Under the umbrella of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, powered by the Saudi Tourism Authority, the inaugural TOURISE Summit will take place November 11–13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event will convene visionaries from government, business, investment, tourism, and technology to drive transformative deals and deliver high-impact initiatives that redefine the future of the global tourism industry.

TOURISE ensures worldwide participation while offering access to decision-makers shaping the industry’s evolution. Following the Summit, TOURISE will continue as a year-round platform where bold ideas turn into real-world solutions.

This is where the next 50 years of tourism are shaped. Together, we are unstoppable.

For more information visit www.tourise.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113796086/en/ 

Contact

For media inquiries, please contact Media@TOURISE.com 

Source : TOURISE 

--BERNAMA

MARY KAY ASH FOUNDATION GRANTS US$500,000 TO ADVANCE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH, EARLY DETECTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The Mary Kay Ash Foundation has awarded a US$500,000 grant to the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation to accelerate a pioneering triple-negative breast cancer clinical trial and support early detection initiatives at the newly established Texas Cancer Interception Institute. (US$1=RM4.12)

The foundation said the grant includes US$100,000 to advance the TRIM-EBC clinical trial led by breast cancer researcher Dr Joyce O’Shaughnessy. The study examines the potential for weight-loss medications to reduce recurrence risks among overweight breast cancer patients.

The remaining portion is a multi-year contribution to the Texas Cancer Interception Institute, which focuses on detecting cancers at their earliest and most treatable stages. The programme aims to shift cancer care from reactive treatment to proactive intervention and improve survivorship outcomes for women.

In a statement, Mary Kay said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting transformative research that addresses cancers disproportionately affecting women.

Over the past 20 years, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed US$1.3 million to the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, reflecting a long-standing partnership focused on transformative research and improved outcomes for women..

The organisation was recently recognised with the Circle of Care Award at the 2025 Celebrating Women Luncheon for its longstanding efforts in advancing breast cancer care, research and advocacy. Since inception, the luncheon has raised more than US$42 million for breast cancer initiatives.

Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation highlighted that the partnership brings together scientific expertise and philanthropic support to deliver better treatment options and hope for patients.

Globally, Mary Kay continues to support women’s cancer initiatives through research collaborations, screening programmes and wellness support in countries including Spain, Brazil, Malaysia and Canada.

Together with its global operations and affiliated foundations, Mary Kay has contributed nearly US$44 million worldwide toward eliminating cancers affecting women.

-- BERNAMA

Report: Global Biofuels Emit More CO2 Than Fossil Fuels, T&E Warns

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Global biofuels production emits an average of 16 per cent more carbon dioxide (CO2) than the fossil fuels it replaces, according to a new Cerulogy report on behalf of Transport & Environment (T&E).

In a statement, T&E said with demand set to rise by at least 40 per cent by 2030, it has called on world leaders attending COP30 in Brazil to limit the expansion of crop-based biofuels, citing environmental and social concerns.

The higher emissions are largely linked to indirect impacts from farming and deforestation associated with biofuel production. By 2030, biofuels are projected to emit 70 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 equivalent more than the fossil fuels they replace, comparable to the annual emissions of nearly 30 million diesel vehicles.

Currently, about 32 million hectares of land—roughly the size of Italy—are used for biofuel crops, supplying just four per cent of global transport energy. This area is expected to grow by 60 per cent to 52 million hectares, the size of France, by 2030.

The same land could feed 1.3 billion people, while using only three per cent of that land for solar panels would generate an equivalent amount of energy. Electric vehicles powered by solar energy could cover almost one-third of the current global car fleet.

T&E’s analysis shows that 90 per cent of global biofuel production still relies on food crops, consuming about 150 Mt of corn and 120 Mt of sugarcane and sugar beet in 2023. Around one-fifth of the world’s vegetable oil supply is used for fuel rather than food.

First-generation biofuels also require significant freshwater resources. Driving 100 kilometres on these fuels consumes nearly 3,000 litres of water, compared with just 20 litres for an electric vehicle powered by solar energy.

Brazil is among the fastest-growing biofuel producers, and recent policy changes such as the suspension of the soy moratorium could increase deforestation risks. Canada and India are also set to expand production, while shipping and aviation demand could further drive growth.

T&E called on governments to adopt stricter safeguards against biofuels linked to land clearance and deforestation and to redirect public funds toward electrification, energy efficiency, and truly sustainable alternatives in climate policies.

-- BERNAMA

GUANGXI FINANCIAL VOCATIONAL COLLEGE STRENGTHENS CHINA-ASEAN EDUCATION TIES WITH THAILAND VISIT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Guangxi Financial Vocational College recently welcomed Thailand’s Vocational Education Commission Minister, Tanapat Saengchan, highlighting the college’s role in advancing vocational education and fostering collaboration between China and ASEAN countries.

The visit is expected to foster practical communication and promote in-depth cooperation in the vocational education sector, according to the college in a statement.

Guangxi Financial Vocational College has positioned itself as a hub for innovation and open cooperation, integrating production and education to support ASEAN regional development and build its international “Modern Craftsmen” brand.

Focusing on the China-Malaysia Digital Economy Modern Craftsman College, the institution has developed a “school-school-enterprise-enterprise” co-construction model and a “1+1+N” platform, combining industry communities, modern craftsman colleges, and demonstration enterprises to support enterprise growth.

The college has also set up overseas exchange platforms in Indonesia and Cambodia, as well as the “Silk Road Finance College”, creating a sustainable framework for China-ASEAN vocational education collaboration.

Leveraging the Zhongguancun Artificial Intelligence Large Model Industry Agglomeration Area in Tsinghua Science Park, the college has built one overseas digital intelligence centre, two exchange centres, three technical service platforms, and two cross-border production-education integration bases to meet ASEAN enterprise talent and technology needs.

Through its Modern Craftsman College project, the school has conducted international skill training and competitions, developed international courses, standards, and bilingual textbooks, and organised the 2024 China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Vocational Education Development Exchange Conference.

The initiatives aim to deliver high-quality applied talents for the development of Guangxi’s digital economy and promote China-ASEAN cooperation in artificial intelligence and vocational education.

-- BERNAMA

Game Developers Can Now Capture More Holiday Demand With Xsolla’s Expanded Payments Portfolio

(Graphic: Xsolla)

 
MB Way, JKOPay, Paidy, Airtel Mobile Money, MTN Mobile Money, Paga, MVola, Spenn, Mercado Pago, and Bank Transfers in Nigeria are now available through Xsolla

LOS ANGELES, Nov 6 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Xsolla, a global video game commerce company that helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games, today announced new local payment methods across key markets in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Timed for the peak holiday season, this expansion helps developers reduce friction at checkout and convert seasonal demand into long-term engagement. 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251105167934/en/ 

The expansion introduces 10 new local payment options that match how players already pay in their home markets, including: 

· Europe: MB Way (Portugal) adds nationwide, mobile-first checkout with instant confirmations and broad recognition.
· Asia: JKOPay (Taiwan) delivers a trusted, mobile wallet with QR payments and loyalty; Paidy (Japan) offers card-free Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) with single-bill or installment options.
· Africa: Airtel Mobile Money (Tanzania, Madagascar) and MTN Mobile Money (Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Zambia) enable app/USSD approvals and real-time confirmations; Paga (Nigeria) reduces card friction with in-app wallet payments; Bank Transfers (Nigeria) meet demand for Pay-by-Bank flows; MVola (Madagascar) brings nationwide reach as the country’s leading wallet; Spenn (Rwanda, Zambia) offers wallet-led payments with instant confirmations.
· Latin America: Mercado Pago (Uruguay) provides a leading regional wallet with multiple funding sources and real-time confirmations. 

“Holiday launches are won or lost at checkout,” said Chris Hewish, President at Xsolla. “By adding preferred local payment methods players already trust from digital wallets across Africa and Latin America to BNPL options in Japan and mobile wallets in Taiwan and Portugal, we’re helping studios turn festive demand into loyal long-term relationships.”

Across these regions, mobile wallets, Pay-by-Bank, and flexible credit options continue to outpace traditional cards, especially among younger, mobile-first players. Aligning with local rails delivers instant confirmation, familiar authentication, and materially higher completion rates during peak holiday volume periods.

For more information about Xsolla’s expanded payment coverage and how to enable these methods, please visit: xsolla.pro/RNPM25

About Xsolla

Xsolla is a global commerce company with robust tools and services to help developers solve the inherent challenges of the video game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute, market, and monetize their games. Grounded in the belief in the future of video games, Xsolla is resolute in the mission to bring opportunities together, and continually make new resources available to creators. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, Xsolla operates as the merchant of record and has helped over 1,500+ game developers to reach more players and grow their businesses around the world. With more paths to profits and ways to win, developers have all the things needed to enjoy the game.

For more information, visit xsolla.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251105167934/en/ 

Contact

Media Contact
Derrick Stembridge
Vice President of Global Public Relations, Xsolla
d.stembridge@xsolla.com

Source : Xsolla 

--BERNAMA 

Quantexa Makes Its Decision Intelligence Platform ‘Agent Ready’ to Solve the Hardest Problems in AI: Data Fragmentation & Context

New Quantexa AI capabilities give enterprises and government agencies the trusted data and contextual intelligence required to deploy agentic AI safely, at scale, and with confidence 

LONDON, Nov 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a major leap forward for enterprise AI, Quantexa, a global pioneer in Decision Intelligence, has unveiled Quantexa AI, the next evolution of its flagship Decision Intelligence Platform, now fully agentic ready.

As organizations accelerate their use of large language models (LLMs) and smaller, purpose-built and domain-trained models, many are discovering a common limitation: when AI interacts with fragmented or untrusted data, it can amplify inaccuracies, make flawed decisions, and create costly feedback loops. Whether using general models or specialized ones, enterprises can only achieve accurate, explainable, and auditable outcomes when AI is grounded in trusted, contextualized data that reflects the complete view of the business.

Securely accessing and contextualizing enterprise data for AI has prompted many organizations to rethink their AI deployments and their broader data and operating models. The breakthrough with Quantexa AI lies in its ability to democratize and operationalize contextualized enterprise data that can interact bidirectionally with both LLMs and task-specific models using open industry standards.

This innovation enables humans and AI agents alike to converse with data in context, combining the reasoning power of LLMs with the precision of specialized models, so they can act and decide confidently and responsibly in real time. It represents the next evolution in helping organizations leverage AI safely and effectively to serve customers better, mitigate risk, and drive operational efficiency. 

Introducing Quantexa AI: Trusted, Contextual, and Agentic
Unlike conventional analytics tools or model platforms that can operate in isolation, Quantexa AI connects every layer of intelligence, from foundational data unification to reasoning and action, in one governed environment. Quantexa AI leverages NLP pipelines, predictive analytics, graph machine learning, and agentic AI to deliver explainable insights and fully auditable decision-making.

“The future of successful enterprise AI deployments will be decided by those who can solve the data problem,” said Vishal Marria, Founder & CEO of Quantexa. “Enterprises cannot build trustworthy AI on fragmented data. Our Decision Intelligence Platform delivers the foundation to make AI not only powerful, but responsible, grounded in context, governed by design, and explainable at every decision point.”

Agent Gateway: Grounding Agentic Systems in Contextual Data
Building and managing agentic systems can be complex and risky when data lacks trust. Quantexa’s new Agent Gateway addresses this challenge with a secure orchestration and integration layer that enables agent-to-agent collaboration, enforces governance, and ensures explainability across distributed systems.

Enterprises can use LLMs from providers such as OpenAI, Claude, Mistral, and Gemini, or bring their own, integrating seamlessly with existing enterprise stacks. The Agent Gateway, powered by Quantexa’s MCP Server, standardizes how agents interact with enterprise systems and data securely and at scale. 

Agent Gateway Key Features Include:

·  An agnostic approach connecting data, context, and leading LLMs through one trusted platform
·  Governance, lineage, and compliance enforced at every step
·  Secure multi-agent coordination at scale
·  Support for open standards such as MCP and A2A for interoperable, decision-ready ecosystems 

“Without context, AI decisions are vulnerable,” said Dan Higgins, Chief Product Officer at Quantexa. “Our Agent Gateway provides the connective tissue between trusted data and intelligent agents, enabling enterprises to operationalize AI safely, transparently, and at scale.”

With Agent Gateway, Quantexa is building on open standard-based frameworks with partners such as Microsoft, Google, Accenture, and KPMG to ensure enterprises can operate AI safely, moving beyond insight delivery to decision execution. 

Q Assist™ Workspace: AI that Understands All of Your Data 
Q Assist Workspace builds on Quantexa’s agentic copilot capabilities, expanding the data and context available to users and enabling them to converse with and be guided by their data. 

Key Capabilities Include:

·  Contextual understanding across data, applications, and industry-specific use cases
·  Grounded, explainable, and auditable outputs and recommendations
·  Seamless embedding into workflows for investigations, risk, and customer operations
 
Q Assist turns AI into a trusted collaborator, helping humans think, decide, and act faster—with confidence and control.

Building for an Agentic Future
These platform enhancements mark the next evolution in Decision Intelligence, empowering enterprises to democratize data, govern AI, and create measurable business value. In 2026, Quantexa will introduce a new generation of capabilities for domain-specific agents; spanning financial crime, compliance, customer intelligence, and public sector missions, bringing contextual expertise to every decision and fundamentally changing how work gets done.

Availability
The agentic ready Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform, featuring Q Assist and Agent Gateway, is available globally today. For more information, visit https://www.quantexa.com/platform/ai-innovation/ 

About Quantexa 
Quantexa is a global data, analytics, and AI software company pioneering Decision Intelligence to help organizations make confident decisions with contextual data. Using the latest advancements in AI, our Decision Intelligence Platform transforms siloed data into connected, contextual insights to empower the shift from a data-driven to a decision-centric organization. Our customers use Quantexa technology to protect, optimize, and grow by solving complex challenges across the entire organization through modern data management, customer intelligence, KYC, financial and economic crime, risk, fraud, and security.

The Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform enhances operational performance with over 90% more accuracy and 60 times faster analytical model resolution than traditional approaches. An independently commissioned Forrester TEI study found that customers achieved a 228% ROI over three years. Founded in 2016, Quantexa has over 900 employees and tens of thousands of users globally, working with billions of data points across the world. For more information, visit www.quantexa.com or follow us on LinkedIn. 

Media Inquiries
C: Michael Lane, VP of External Relations
T: +1 917 450 7387
E: michaellane@quantexa.com 

C: Kristen Stippich
T: +1 608 213 8324
E: kristen@sourcecodecomms.com 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd516693-764b-4c22-b8ff-dd04d2047879 

SOURCE: Quantexa Limited

--BERNAMA 

XSOLLA EXPANDS FINTECH ECOSYSTEM WITH NEW PAYMENT TOOLS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Global video game commerce company, Xsolla has expanded its financial technology (fintech) ecosystem with a suite of proprietary payment methods ahead of the year-end holiday sales season.

The new payment solutions are aimed at helping game developers strengthen player loyalty, reduce transaction friction and enhance secure checkout experiences across international markets, the company said in a statement.

“These innovations reflect our commitment to building a trusted payments foundation for the global games ecosystem. By expanding our fintech infrastructure, we are enabling developers to deliver seamless and rewarding experiences that strengthen player connections,” said Xsolla President, Chris Hewish.

As the gaming industry enters its peak spending period, Xsolla continues to invest in fintech innovations that connect various aspects of digital commerce, rewards and security for developers and players.

Its new portfolio includes Xsolla Gold gift cards — available in both physical and digital formats — and the Xsolla Pay Loyalty Program, designed to deepen player engagement and deliver greater value to developers.

The company has also strengthened its transaction security framework with the implementation of Network Tokens, an advanced technology that enhances payment authorisation rates while protecting sensitive user data.

Xsolla Gold is now available in 10,000 retail stores across the United States (US), offering players a new way to purchase and gift games or in-game content during the festive season. The gift cards, previously limited to US dollar spending, can now be used globally with automatic conversion to local currencies, providing access to players in any country.

Meanwhile, the Xsolla Pay Loyalty Program rewards players for every transaction made via Xsolla Pay during the holiday season, encouraging return purchases beyond the holiday season. For developers, this offers a way to convert seasonal spenders into long-term paying users.

At the same time, the new Network Tokens replace regular card numbers with secure tokens from Visa and Mastercard that update automatically, helping developers cut fraud by up to 30 percent and boost payment approvals by three to seven percent, making it easier to handle regular payments even when cards expire or are reissued.

The expansion marks another step towards its long-term vision of simplifying global game commerce by providing developers with the necessary tools to reach more players and drive sustainable revenue growth.

-- BERNAMA

Blackstone Taps Laura Coady To Lead Global CLOs, Europe Credit Push

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Blackstone has appointed Laura Coady, a top figure in the securitised markets, as the Global Head of Collateralised Loan Obligations (CLOs) and European Head of Liquid Credit Strategies (LCS) at Blackstone Credit & Insurance (BXCI).

Based in London, Coady will oversee the firm’s global CLO formation and investment activities while spearheading its liquid credit operations across Europe, according to Blackstone in a statement.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to further strengthen our global CLO franchise and expand our liquids business across Europe.

“Clients increasingly recognise the advantages of BXCI’s scale and insights across the evolving credit landscape,” said BXCI Head of International and Global Head of LCS, Dan Leiter.

Meanwhile, Coady added: “I am excited to join Dan and the BXCI team. Blackstone’s leadership in CLOs and scale across the credit spectrum creates enormous opportunities to serve clients in Europe and beyond.”

Coady joins from Jefferies, where she built the European structured finance platform into a top-tier franchise and later led the United States CLO business in 2024. Before that, she spent 14 years at Citi, overseeing European CLO structuring, origination and distribution.

Her industry influence was highlighted in 2023 when she received GlobalCapital’s “Outstanding Contribution” award for a decade of leadership in the CLO market.

BXCI’s LCS arm currently manages US$120 billion in assets spanning corporate bonds, leveraged loans, CLOs and multi-asset credit. (US$1=RM4.19)

Blackstone is the world’s largest manager of CLOs and loans, and the most active loan trader globally. The firm sets a new record for annual CLO issuance in 2024, surpassing its previous high from 2021.

-- BERNAMA

TRINITY ACQUIRES EVERSANA’S ADVISORY BUSINESS IN ASIA-PACIFIC, MIDDLE EAST

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Trinity, a global leader in life sciences commercialisation solutions, has announced the acquisition of EVERSANA’s advisory services operation in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East (APACME), strengthening its role as a tech-enabled strategic partner to leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech companies.

The acquisition will transition EVERSANA’s regional advisory business to Trinity, deepening its expertise and expanding its on-the-ground presence in a rapidly growing region for life sciences innovation.

According to a statement, the acquisition expands Trinity’s global presence in Singapore, Tokyo, Mumbai, Shanghai, Sydney, and Dubai, following its July opening of its Mexico City office.

Trinity chief executive officer, Leslie Orne said the company is thrilled to welcome EVERSANA’s APACME team to its global family.

“This acquisition not only strengthens our footprint in APACME but also brings together two high-performing teams dedicated to delivering real-world impact for our clients and the patients they serve,” he said.

Orne added that the integration of EVERSANA’s advisory expertise complements Trinity’s evidence-based consulting and technology-driven analytics, further enabling life sciences companies to achieve commercial and clinical success across every stage of the product lifecycle.

As part of the transaction, Trinity and EVERSANA have entered a strategic collaboration to continue serving shared clients in the APACME region. EVERSANA will maintain its broader commercialisation services, including compliance, field deployment, and market access solutions, while Trinity takes the lead on advisory and strategic consulting.

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Trinity has grown into a trusted partner for more than 350 global clients, establishing itself as a leader in life sciences advisory and technology solutions.

The firm was recently named to Forbes’ Best Management Consulting Firms list and recognised as a Leader in Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix for Life Sciences AI and Analytics.

-- BERNAMA

APO CHARTS PATH TOWARD VISION 2030 AT 66TH WORKSHOP MEETING IN SEOUL

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) has convened its 66th Workshop Meeting of Heads of National Productivity Organizations (WSM) in Seoul recently.

Delegates from 19 APO members shared insights on the Strategic Partnership Program (SPP) and agreed to operationalise the APO Vision 2030, advancing the transformation from a project-based to a result-driven, member-led organisation, according to a statement.

In the inaugural address, APO Director for the Republic of Korea and Chair of the Korea Productivity Center, Dr Park Sungjoong highlighted the significance of the 66th WSM as the first formal discussion of the APO’s Vision 2030 and called for stronger collaboration for sustainable productivity and inclusive growth in the region.

Meanwhile, APO Secretary-General, Dr Indra Pradana Singawinata stated: “The APO has accelerated work on three core platforms since the WSM in 2024: Vision 2030 implementation through the SPP, Green Productivity (GP) 2.0, and accreditation and quality assurance to strengthen national productivity ecosystems.”

In a statement conveyed through NPO Delegate from India Neerja Sekhar, APO Chair 2025–26 Amardeep Singh Bhatia congratulated APO members, NPO Heads, and relevant stakeholders on the APO Governing Body’s (GB) endorsement of the Vision 2030 strategy and operationalisation documents, while also describing Vision 2030 as a bold, forward-looking roadmap.

The Secretariat reports on the 2024 Annual Project Review, APO Vision 2030 Strategy and Operationalization, and SPP highlighted the APO’s collective achievements, lessons learnt, and progress made in implementing programmes and shaping the APO Vision 2030.

Furthermore, representatives from the UN International Labour Organization, World Bank International Finance Corporation, and Asian Development Bank featured their country-specific programmes to enlighten delegates on practical approaches to planning based on members’ needs.

The workshop was continued on SPP Primers, with NPO delegates from Fiji and Indonesia sharing their approaches, and the Secretariat’s SPP Team facilitating the APO SPP Primer Workshop, where delegates drafted 2026–28 country primers covering national contexts, strategic focus areas, and key results, with outputs displayed on a live Productivity Dashboard.

The 66th WSM marked a significant milestone and concluded with a consensus to shift to need-based, member-led programming under the APO Vision 2030, supported by pillar‑level budgeting and a streamlined two‑track governance flow between the GB and WSM, with an SPP rollout starting in November 2025.

-- BERNAMA