LENDLEASE GLOBAL COMMERCIAL REIT REPORTS LOWER DPU, REVENUE FOR 1H FY2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Lendlease Global Commercial Trust Management Pte Ltd, the manager of Lendlease Global Commercial REIT (LREIT) reports a 14.3 per cent drop in distribution per unit (DPU) to 1.8 cents for the first half financial results for 2025 (1HFY2025) ended Dec 31 2024, compared to 2.1 cents in the previous year.

According to a statement, the decline in DPU was primarily driven by higher finance costs, lower net property income (NPI), and an enlarged unit base.

Gross revenue for the period fell 13.6 per cent year-on-year (YoY), dropping from SG$119.9 million to SG$103.6 million. This led to a 19.8 per cent decrease in NPI, from SG$93.4 million in the same period last year to SG$74.9 million. (SG$1=RM3.27)

This was mainly attributed to the absence of supplementary rent in relation to the lease restructure of Sky Complex that was received and recognised upfront in December 2023.

On a proforma basis, after adjusting for this factor, gross revenue for 1HFY2025 was 0.4 per cent higher, while NPI was 2.2 per cent lower YoY.

LREIT’s portfolio committed occupancy improved to 92.3 per cent, with retail at 99.9 per cent while office at 86.6 per cent, with a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 7.2 years by net lettable area (NLA) and 4.6 years by gross rental income (GRI).

The rental reversion remained positive at 10.7 per cent, while office rental uplift was 1.2 per cent. Tenant retention rate was also maintained at a rate of 86.1 per cent.

Construction of a 48,200 square feet multifunctional event space adjacent to 313@somerset has commenced, with completion expected in the second half of 2026 with an estimated seating capacity of 3,000, the state-of-the-art music hall will feature multiple rooms and stages set up to host international tours as well as local artistes.

LREIT has secured SG$560 million in unsecured sustainability-linked loan facilities to refinance loans maturing in 2025. As of Dec 31, 2024, gross borrowings stood at US$1.565 billion, with a gearing ratio of 40.8 per cent.

--BERNAMA

HKTDC Twin Jewellery Shows Set To Open In March

 

Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is set to host the 41st HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 11th HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show in March 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo, respectively.

Under the theme Symphony of Sparkles, the two concurrent events are expected to attract over 4,000 exhibitors worldwide, showcasing finished jewellery, loose stones, and raw materials, according to HKTDC in a statement.

The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, taking place from March 4 to 8, will feature themed zones including the Hall of Extraordinary and Hall of Fame, whereas the Click2Match session will start from Feb 23 to March 13.

The Hall of Extraordinary will showcase high-end collections mounted with stunning diamonds, precious stones, jadeite, and pearls from renowned exhibitors, such as Dehres, On Tung, and Lili Jewelry, while the Hall of Fame will feature international brands like Giorgio Visconti from Italy, Lao Feng Xiang from Mainland China, and Cheté from Hong Kong.

A new Gold Jewellery zone will also debut, highlighting innovative gold designs and exquisite craftsmanship.

Building on this spirit of creativity, the Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition will also take place, inviting designers to create pieces based on the theme Lasting Brilliance. The winning pieces will be showcased during the award ceremony at the International Jewellery Show.

Meanwhile, running from March 2 to 6, the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show will display exceptional selections of diamonds, pearls, and quality gemstones, alongside raw materials for jewellery from various origins.

The shows will feature specialised sections like the Hall of Fine Diamonds and Treasures of Nature, showcasing exquisite rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, and Treasures of Ocean, dedicated to natural sea pearls.

Both shows will also deliver an all-rounded programme with jewellery parades, seminars, buyer forums, and networking events that bring trending market intelligence to industry players.

-- BERNAMA

ZENAS BIOPHARMA TO PRESENT AT GUGGENHEIM SMID CAP BIOTECH CONFERENCE ON FEB 5

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Zenas BioPharma Inc, a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company, has announced its management team will present in a fireside chat at the Guggenheim SMID Cap Biotech Conference on Feb 5.

According to a statement, the presentation will be available via a live webcast, and an archived replay can be accessed under the "Events and Presentations" section of the Investor & Media Relations page on the Zenas BioPharma website.

Zenas is committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialisation of transformative immunology-based therapies, aiming to improve the lives of those facing autoimmune and rare diseases.

-- BERNAMA

MERZ AESTHETICS REVEALS GLOBAL DATA ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CONFIDENCE, SELF-AFFIRMATION AND AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

 

^{Graphic: Merz Aesthetics}



New Research Suggests that People Seek Aesthetic Treatments to Align Inner Self with Outward Appearance


RALEIGH, N.C., Jan 31 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Merz Aesthetics, the world’s largest dedicated medical aesthetics business, today announced the findings of its inaugural global study, Pillars of Confidence: Global Insights on Aesthetics and Self-Affirmation. The study explored the role confidence plays in daily life and overall well-being, as well as the connection between our internal selves and outward expression.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250129954824/en/

 

As part of its Confidence to Be platform, Merz Aesthetics surveyed 15,000 adults from around the world who have had an aesthetic treatment in the past or are open to having one in the near future. The Pillars of Confidence study revealed that a global majority of study participants have a strong sense of self-confidence, with 72% agreeing with the statement, “I am confident in who I am.”

The findings of the Pillars of Confidence study also link external appearance to internal self-concept. When it comes to aesthetic treatments specifically, 73% of respondents reported saying they feel “empowered” after having an aesthetic treatment, 69% seek aesthetic treatments to reflect how they feel inside and 72% said that aesthetic treatments impact how they view themselves.

Conducted in partnership with Ipsos*, one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, the Pillars of Confidence study engaged 15,000 adults aged 21 to 75** from 15 countries. Participating regions and countries included:

• Asia-Pacific: China, South Korea, Thailand
• Europe, the Middle East & Africa: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates
• Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico
• North America: United States, Canada

“Since becoming a standalone global business nearly five years ago, Merz Aesthetics has been committed to our purpose of fueling confidence by helping people look better, feel better and live better. We believe in the importance of feeling confident and what makes you feel like the best version of yourself—however you define it,” said Bob Rhatigan, CEO, Merz Aesthetics. “Our Pillars of Confidence research shows what we anecdotally knew to be true—that aesthetic treatments appear to do more than just enhance our appearance; they can help people feel empowered and support their self-confidence journey.”

“The Pillars of Confidence data shows how aesthetic treatments enable patients to take an active role in aligning their self-perception with their outward appearance,” said Dr. Shannon Humphrey, cosmetic dermatologist, medical director at Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology and clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia. “As a physician, I see this impact every day. These insights can help us better understand and support our patients as they work toward personal empowerment, which ultimately enhances the care we provide.”

Whether it’s the things we say, the people we surround ourselves with, or our choices around aesthetic treatments, Merz Aesthetics believes that every person's journey to look, feel and live their best is unique. With a purpose to fuel confidence worldwide, Merz Aesthetics hopes that the data-backed insights of the Pillars of Confidence study will inspire meaningful conversations that enable even more people to celebrate being their authentic selves, both inside and out.

For more information on the Pillars of Confidence study and to download a full report of the findings, please visit www.merzaesthetics.com/confidence.

*Merz Aesthetics. (2025). Pillars of Confidence: Global Insights on Aesthetics and Self-Affirmation. Supported by research partner Ipsos.

**Age range in Asia-Pacific region was 21 to 65.

About Merz Aesthetics

Merz Aesthetics is a medical aesthetics business with a long history of empowering health care professionals, patients and employees to live every day with confidence. We aim to help people around the world look, feel and live like the best versions of themselves — however they define it. Clinically proven, its product portfolio includes injectables, devices and skin care treatments designed to meet each patient’s needs with high standards of safety and efficacy. Being family owned for more than 115 years, Merz Aesthetics is known for building unique connections with customers who feel like family. Merz Aesthetics’ global headquarters is in Raleigh, N.C., USA, with a commercial presence in 90 countries worldwide. It is also a part of Merz Group, which was founded in 1908 and is based in Frankfurt, Germany. Learn more at merzaesthetics.com.

© 2025 Merz North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Merz, Merz Aesthetics and the Merz Aesthetics Confidence To Be Logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250129954824/en/

Contact

Media Contact
Merz Aesthetics
Global Corporate Communications
6501 Six Forks Road, Raleigh NC 27615
919-302-3296
media@merz.com

Source : Merz Aesthetics

AVEPOINT SUBMITS APPLICATION FOR DUAL LISTING ON THE SINGAPORE EXCHANGE

SINGAPORE, Jan 27 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AvePoint (Nasdaq: AVPT), the global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, has submitted an application to list its shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”), on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”). The Company’s Shares currently trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, and if such application is approved would also trade on the SGX-ST. 

“Our application to list AvePoint’s common stock on the Singapore Exchange – which would be in addition to our current and continuing listing on Nasdaq – aligns with our ongoing strategy to broaden our presence in the APAC region, where we have a long and successful track record,” said Dr. Tianyi Jiang (TJ), CEO and Co-Founder, AvePoint. “We established a presence in Singapore in 2009, and since then have fostered strong relationships with governmental organizations and corporations in the region; today, Singapore serves as our Asia headquarters and International R&D Hub. Finally, we believe that our consistent execution and strong financial performance, both globally and particularly in APAC, will make us attractive to APAC-focused investors seeking in-region high quality B2B SaaS opportunities.”

No final decision or commitment has been made as to the timing, terms or conditions of any such listing on the SGX-ST, and the Company may decide to not proceed with an SGX-ST listing of its Shares.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer or an invitation to buy any securities of the Company, nor shall there be any offer or sale of the securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About AvePoint:

Securing the Future. AvePoint is a global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, and over 21,000 customers worldwide rely on our solutions to modernize the digital workplace across Microsoft, Google, Salesforce and other collaboration environments. AvePoint’s global channel partner program includes over 3,500 managed service providers, value added resellers and systems integrators, with our solutions available in more than 100 cloud marketplaces. To learn more, visit www.avepoint.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws including statements regarding the future performance of and market opportunities for AvePoint. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: changes in the competitive and regulated industries in which AvePoint operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting AvePoint’s business and changes in AvePoint’s ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and ability to identify and realize additional opportunities, and the risk of downturns in the market and the technology industry. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of AvePoint’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Copies of these and other documents filed by AvePoint from time to time are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and AvePoint does not assume any obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. AvePoint does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this press release to the terms “AvePoint”, “the Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to AvePoint, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Disclosure Information:

AvePoint uses the https://www.avepoint.com/ir website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Investor Contact
AvePoint
Jamie Arestia
ir@avepoint.com
(551) 220-5654

Media Contact
AvePoint
Nicole Caci
pr@avepoint.com
(201) 201-8143

SOURCE: AvePoint, Inc.

--BERNAMA

CATHAY'S CHINESE NEW YEAR NIGHT PARADE TO DAZZLE HONG KONG WITH SPECTACULAR FLOATS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The highly anticipated Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade is set to make a grand return in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on Jan 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake with vibrant celebrations.

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and sponsored by Cathay for the 23rd year, the parade will feature a vibrant mix of global performances and dazzling floats with a distinct Hong Kong touch.

This year's theme, "Unfold a Year of Good Fortune", reflects the city's status as a top destination for unique global festivities, according to HKTB in a statement.

HKTB Chairman, Dr Pang Yiu-kai said the parade would be broadcast worldwide, showcasing performances from various countries, promises to be an unforgettable celebration.

This year's parade will feature 55 performances from 14 countries and regions, including newcomers France, Argentina, Austria, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, surpassing last year’s edition, and include stars like the V.UNBEATABLE Dance Group, the Zurcaroh acrobatic troupe, and BRAVERY DANCERS who will take centre stage alongside local acts such as the Chestroll Dance Crew and Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association.

The procession will begin at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and travel along major roads before finishing at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. Prior to the main event, 18 local talents will ring in the festivities with juggling, magic shows, dance, and music to get the crowd in the festive mood.

This year’s parade will showcase nine floats, many serving as Hong Kong Tourism Ambassadors by highlighting the city’s charm. The floats will feature famous Hong Kong icons, such as the beloved giant pandas, paired with Hong Kong-style milk tea.

The parade will also feature floats that draw inspiration from the city's breathtaking skyline, specifically the snake motif. Other floats will celebrate the city’s distinctive Chinese New Year culture, with designs that incorporate festive elements like windmills, lyrical couplets, and blooming flowers, all conveying joyful Chinese New Year greetings.

To further extend the celebration, HKTB is collaborating with the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival, where selected parade floats and performances will be relocated to Lam Tsuen in Tai Po from Jan 30 to Feb 13.

Additionally, HKTB has launched a dedicated Chinese New Year webpage, providing locals and visitors with a guide to all the city’s seasonal events, including fireworks and Chinese New Year fairs, offering a comprehensive experience of Hong Kong’s festive culture.

-- BERNAMA

TRANSFORMING TRAVEL: AIRASIA MOVE PARTNERS WITH ANTOM FOR SEAMLESS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

^{From left to right: Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE, Anderson Yong, Head of Enterprise Payments AirAsia MOVE, Agnes Chua, Managing Director, Business and Product Development of 2C2P and Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International (Photo: Business Wire)}


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan 8 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AirAsia MOVE (MOVE), Asean’s leading travel booking app and the OTA (online travel agency) platform business of Capital A has signed a partnership agreement with Ant International’s Antom as part of its continuous efforts to transform travel, including seamless payment experiences on the app. Under the agreement, AirAsia MOVE will work closely with Antom, Ant International’s merchant payment and digitisation services provider, and 2C2P, a full-suite global payments platform and a subsidiary of Antom.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107206299/en/

This collaboration is set to integrate Antom and 2C2P’s advanced payment solutions, including payment orchestration and acquiring for both cards and local payment methods (LPMs), into AirAsia MOVE’s platform. These cutting-edge technologies will empower AirAsia MOVE to streamline payment methods, reduce cross-border transaction costs and operational expenses, and broaden its consumer base, while providing customers with a wider range of preferred payment options.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE and Agnes Chua, Managing Director, Business and Product Development of 2C2P, commemorated the partnership with a signing ceremony today, with Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International in attendance alongside Lim Ben Jie , Chief People Officer and Partnerships of AirAsia MOVE, Anderson Yong, Head of Enterprise Payments AirAsia MOVE, Aaron Wang, Vice President of Strategic Partnership, Ant International and Reggie Weston, Executive Director of Business and Product Development of 2C2P.

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, lauded the partnership as a significant step forward for the broader Capital A ecosystem. He added: “This collaboration with Antom and 2C2P not only benefits AirAsia MOVE but also strengthens our ecosystem by enhancing payment capabilities across our businesses. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Ant International as we continue to innovate and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Antom to redefine the way our customers experience travel payments. By integrating Antom and 2C2P’s advanced solutions, we’re enhancing efficiency, improving customer satisfaction, and delivering significant cost savings. This partnership underscores our commitment to innovation and delivering value to our customers across the region.

We aim to simplify the complexities of cross-border transactions through this partnership and it also aligns with AirAsia MOVE’s vision of providing seamless travel experiences. By leveraging Antom and 2C2P’s robust payment infrastructure, we can offer greater flexibility and convenience, addressing the diverse needs of our growing customer base in Southeast Asia and beyond.”

Gary Liu, General Manager of Antom, Ant International commented: “We are proud to deepen our partnership with AirAsia MOVE in our joint journey to continuously drive innovation and elevate the payment experience for customers. Our advanced solutions, including payment orchestration and acquiring for both cards and LPMs, enable AirAsia MOVE to expand its reach to more consumers across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. By combining our expertise and AI-driven payment technologies, we are committed to improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, and unlocking long-term value together.”

Reggie Weston, Executive Director of Business and Product Development of 2C2P said: “We are excited to deepen our longstanding partnership with AirAsia MOVE together with Antom, and bring the latest advanced payment features to empower AirAsia MOVE to meet the needs of their customers everywhere in an optimal and seamless way.”

This partnership agreement between MOVE, Antom and 2C2P is part of a strategic partnership announced last March between Capital A and Ant International which covers various areas, exploring to integrate more payment methods and providing acquiring services to Capital A’s platforms, work on digital marketing and sponsorship opportunities to drive business growth, and to cooperate in enhancing access to sustainable finance while transitioning to a low carbon economy for the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) community.

Antom manages an acquiring network spanning over 40 countries and regions, enabling the integration of hundreds of payment methods and supporting transactions in more than 100 currencies. Its unified API provides businesses with seamless access to global payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets, and local payment solutions. Leveraging AI technology, Antom helps businesses ensure transaction security, streamlines foreign exchange risk management, lowers costs, and enhances operational efficiency through real-time payments and blockchain solutions. Additionally, Antom empowers merchants to customise operations and refine customer targeting with AI-driven and privacy-computing tools.

Operating across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, 2C2P’s extensive network provides a single point of integration to over 400 regional and local payment methods and 600,000 alternative payment locations, enabling businesses to reach their customers anywhere across online, mobile or offline channels. Its payment orchestration product, Payment Air Controller (PACO), is designed to resolve common pain points experienced by airlines such as managing transaction and currency conversion fees across different acquirers, offices and markets, synchronizing online and offline booking channels, managing fraud risk, optimizing costs as well as catering to diverse customer payment preferences.

About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE, formerly known as airasia Superapp is the newest online travel agent+ (OTA+) in town, providing a seamless and personalised experience for travellers at the best value in Asean and beyond. It envisions a comprehensive travel ecosystem, providing various travel offerings, such as flights and hotel bookings from over 700 airlines, including AirAsia, and over 900,000 hotels world-wide, plus ride-hailing, insurance, duty-free shopping and much more. The services are complemented by a community-led experience through features such as airasia chat, games, gifting, and a strong loyalty program that rewards users across its expansive ecosystem. It has been voted by World Travel Awards as ‘Asia’s Leading Online Travel Agency’ for two consecutive years since its first nomination in 2023.

About Ant International
Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International powers the future of global commerce with digital innovation for everyone and every business to thrive. In close collaboration with partners, we support merchants of all sizes worldwide to realize their growth aspirations through a comprehensive range of tech-driven digital payment and financial services solutions.

About Antom
Ant International’s Antom is the leading payment and digitisation services provider for merchants around the world. It offers one-stop, vertical-specific digital payment solutions to meet the payment needs of merchants of all sizes. Antom has established local acquiring capabilities in over 40 markets, with the flexibility to accept payments in more than 100 currencies. It also provides digital marketing solutions and merchant digitization services to help merchant in digital operations and to better engage with their customers. To learn more, please visit https://www.antom.com/.

About 2C2P
2C2P is a full-suite payments platform that empowers the world's leading enterprises to securely accept and make payments through one point of integration. Its extensive network spans across online, mobile and offline channels including over 600,000 alternative payment locations, enabling enterprises to reach their customers or recipients anywhere. 2C2P also provides value-added services such as issuing, 3D Secure, bill payments and digital goods to meet every business need.

Headquartered in Singapore with operations across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, 2C2P is the preferred payments partner for airlines, online marketplaces, retailers and other enterprises.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107206299/en/

Contact

Media Inquiries:
AirAsia MOVE
Daphne Cheah / Ryan Chan
movecomms@airasia.com

Ant International
Kahmun Leong / Janice Chen
kahmun.leong@antgroup.com / janicechen.cyh@antgroup.com

2C2P
media@2c2p.com

Source : Ant International