GMO GLOBALSIGN EXPANDS TLS CONNECT TO APAC, MIDDLE EAST

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- GMO GlobalSign Inc, a global Certificate Authority, has expanded the availability of TLS Connect by GMO to businesses in the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East, following its initial launch in Western markets in April.

TLS Connect is a Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) tool designed for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), automating the deployment and renewal of public trust Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates to help strengthen security, maintain regulatory compliance and reduce business risk.

GMO GlobalSign said TLS Connect is designed to address the needs of SMEs that rely on TLS certificates but may lack in-house Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) expertise or a straightforward way to implement a CLM solution.

The company said the expansion comes as businesses face a series of reductions in TLS certificate validity periods. The first reduction took effect on March 15, 2026, shortening certificate lifespans from 398 to 200 days, while further reductions to 100 days and 47 days are scheduled for March 15, 2027, and March 15, 2029, respectively.

In a statement, GMO GlobalSign Head of Business Unit for TLS & CLM CA Division, Aditya Anand said shrinking certificate lifespans mean SMEs face greater risks of missed renewals and unexpected outages, often without the tools to manage certificates efficiently.

He said TLS Connect provides automated certificate lifecycle management specifically for smaller enterprises and offers a simple and affordable way for businesses in APAC and the Middle East to manage changing certificate requirements.

The solution is particularly relevant in APAC and the Middle East, where SMEs account for a significant share of businesses, including approximately 94 per cent in the United Arab Emirates, 97 per cent in Australia, and 99 per cent in Singapore and the Philippines.

According to GMO GlobalSign, cybersecurity regulations in these markets are also increasing the management and oversight requirements for SMEs, while a shortage of cybersecurity professionals is adding to the challenge.

The company said TLS Connect includes certificate discovery, a centralised interface and automated certificate management, and can be deployed on premises for centralised management across endpoints.

-- BERNAMA

ABNORMAL AI SECURES IMDA ACCREDITATION FOR GOVERNMENT, ENTERPRISE ADOPTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- BERNAMA

CROSSBOW NAMED AS GEAR MEMBER, CONTRIBUTING PAYMENT SECURITY EXPERTISE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- BERNAMA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- BERNAMA

Bitget Institutional Launches $300 Million Project Archimedes to Back Quant Firms and Asset Managers

The initiative will boost institutional trading firms' scale strategies, improve capital efficiency and access emerging opportunities across digital assets and tokenized markets.


VICTORIA, Seychelles, Aug 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has launched Project Archimedes, a $300 million institutional capital program for quantitative trading firms, asset managers and market makers.

With the vision of backing minds that move markets, Project Archimedes will support firms at different stages of growth through two programs:

• Capital Provider Program ($100 million): Allocated to accelerate emerging and growing quantitative firms running market-neutral strategies. Bitget will provide capital, with returns shared under an agreed structure and risk framework.
• Interest-Free Lending Program ($200 million): Available to established institutions with mature strategies and existing trading scale. Eligible firms can access interest-free capital by meeting defined trading volume or position requirements, reducing funding costs while increasing the capital available to their strategies.

Institutional trading is entering a period where access to capital, execution quality and risk control increasingly determine which strategies can scale. Arbitrage returns across established crypto markets have tightened as competition has increased, leading quantitative firms to explore market structures such as basis spreads, funding-rate differences and tokenized assets.

"Strong strategies often reach a point where talent is no longer the constraint but capital might," said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget. "Project Archimedes gives capable teams the acceleration it needs to scale, while aligning capital, risk and execution around sustainable performance. Our goal is to boost over fifty projects in the next six months with this capital."

The program takes its name from Archimedes’ principle that the right fulcrum can move the world. For institutional trading firms, capital provides that fulcrum, while product structure and infrastructure determine how effectively it can be used.

Tokenized US stocks offer one example. Arbitrage opportunities can arise from differences in basis and funding rates across spot and derivative markets. These strategies typically require firms to maintain positions on both sides of a trade, which can tie up margin across separate accounts.

Under Bitget’s Unified Account, eligible rToken spot positions can serve as collateral for derivatives trading without requiring transfers between accounts. This structure allows institutions to maintain tokenized stock exposure while deploying related contract strategies through the same account, improving the use of available capital. Weekend collateral valuation follows the underlying stock’s Friday closing price, providing a fixed reference while traditional US markets are closed.

Project Archimedes will focus initially on market-neutral strategies with established operating histories and measurable risk controls. Participating institutions will undergo strategy assessment, due diligence and drawdown reviews.

The program is structured as a long-term capital cooperation framework with rolling admissions and phased deployment. Bitget Institutional plans to disclose program developments over time, including participation figures, deployed capital and strategy distribution. Product specifications, market-structure research and institutional case studies will provide further insight into how participating firms use capital and trading infrastructure.

Project Archimedes also supports Bitget Institutional's broader role as a capital partner with market insight, connecting firms with liquidity, unified trading infrastructure and an international institutional network. Through capital allocation and interest-free lending, the program aims to help emerging teams establish stronger foundations and enable mature institutions to convert proven strategies into greater trading scale.

About Bitget

Bitget is the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users and offering access to over 2M crypto tokens, 500+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX, and precious metals such as gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI agent, which co-pilots trade execution. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships such as MotoGP™. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in the tokenized TradFi market, providing the industry's lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.

For more information, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0a56e2e0-f1de-4548-9f53-2892bb7af7ca 

SOURCE: Bitget Limited

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

IHERB MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH GLOBAL SALE, PLATFORM EXPANSION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- BERNAMA

SIA EXPANDS AUSTRALIA PRESENCE WITH SEVEN CONSULTING ACQUISITION

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Sia, a global management consulting group, has expanded its international presence with the acquisition of Seven Consulting, an Australian management consulting firm.

Known for its expertise in business transformation, Seven Consulting brings together a team of over 100 consultants, half of whom are based in Sydney and the other half split between Melbourne and Manila.

“Seven Consulting’s deep expertise in programme delivery and change management, and its strong relationships with Australia’s largest banking, government and retail organisations, make it a highly strategic addition to Sia,” said Sia founder and chief executive officer, Matthieu Courtecuisse in a statement.

Meanwhile, Seven Consulting founder, Declan Boylan said: “We found in Sia a partner with the same entrepreneurial mindset, the same focus on high-impact client delivery, and the same conviction that our clients need practical, outcome-focused delivery expertise to navigate their most complex transformation programmes.”

The acquisition marks a key step in Sia’s expansion in Australia, giving the Group a combined team of around 130 consultants, alongside its existing base in Perth.

It also establishes a significant presence on Australia’s East Coast, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, while expanding Sia’s client portfolio across the banking, government, transportation and retail sectors.

As part of the integration, Seven Consulting will progressively leverage Sia's international reach, global solutions portfolio and deep expertise in data and artificial intelligence (AI).

By combining Seven Consulting's recognised capabilities in business transformation and large-scale programme delivery with Sia's global AI expertise, the combined business is positioned to become a leading AI transformation partner in Australia, helping organisations move from AI experimentation to enterprise-scale transformation.

This acquisition demonstrates Sia’s continued ambition to accelerate its international expansion while strengthening its sector and functional expertise in its most strategic markets.

-- BERNAMA

Levoit Singapore Launches Fresher Air Campaign In Support Of Community Chest

 KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Home wellness brand Levoit Singapore has launched the “Fresher Air for Every Home” campaign in support of Community Chest, combining in-kind product donations, sales-linked contributions and a public donation initiative.

Running until Jan 14, 2027, the six-month campaign aims to support cleaner and more comfortable indoor environments for individuals and families in need amid an increased risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore, according to a statement.

According to Levoit Singapore, the National Environment Agency (NEA), citing the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), has forecast warmer and drier conditions in Singapore and the surrounding region from June to October 2026, which may increase the risk of transboundary haze.

Levoit Regional Business Director, Oscar Mei said growing concerns over haze and indoor air quality reinforced the company's belief that access to cleaner air should not be a privilege, adding that its partnership with Community Chest aims to make healthier indoor environments more accessible to those in need.

As part of the campaign, Levoit Singapore will donate 100 Core 200S Smart Air Purifiers to Allkin Singapore through Community Chest for use at Allkin Singapore’s Transitional Shelter service, which provides temporary accommodation and social work support to individuals and families working towards stable, long-term housing.

The company will also contribute five per cent of proceeds from eligible Core Series Air Purifiers sold between July 15 and Oct 14, 2026, to Community Chest, with the contribution expected to amount to at least SG$12,000. (SG$1 = RM3.19)

Funds raised will support critical social service programmes and projects serving communities in need across Singapore. Community Chest currently supports more than 300 programmes and projects, benefiting over 94,000 social service users annually.

Members of the public can also donate through the official Community Chest donation QR code displayed at the Dasher Smart Home Showroom throughout the campaign. Donations made via the QR code will be channelled directly to Community Chest and are separate from Levoit Singapore’s pledged sales contribution.

-- BERNAMA

ALIXPARTNERS ACQUIRES AGENTIC AI CONSULTING FIRM ARTIUM

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- BERNAMA

DARWINBOX UNVEILS AI-NATIVE HCM PLATFORM CORTEX

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Darwinbox, a human capital management (HCM) platform, has unveiled Darwinbox Cortex, the artificial intelligence (AI)-native HCM platform rebuilt from the ground up for AI.

Rather than adding AI features on top of existing software, Cortex embeds intelligence into the core of the platform. It is being launched with pilot customers and technology partners, including Microsoft, Slack and Glean.

Darwinbox said Cortex is designed to understand an organisation’s people, roles, policies, workflows and past decisions, enabling users to make requests within the governance and operational guardrails already established by the organisation.

“With Cortex, we reimagined the entire HCM experience from the ground up and pushed the boundaries of what AI can do for HR through a series of innovations, including the first Context Graph in the category.

“This is not an incremental evolution of HCM; it defines a new category, and we are excited about what it can unlock for our customers,” said Darwinbox co-founder and co-chief executive officer, Jayant Paleti in a statement.

According to Darwinbox, the AI-native platform is built on four architectural foundations namely, the Signal Layer, the Context Graph, the Cortex Agent Platform and the Experience Layer.

The company said the platform is being introduced with a select group of global design partners, including Visteon Corporation and Transcarent, which are working with Darwinbox to apply Cortex to complex workforce-management challenges.

Darwinbox added that Cortex is designed for a connected enterprise environment, integrating with Microsoft 365, Teams and Co-pilot, as well as platforms such as Slack and Glean, allowing enterprise intelligence to be delivered through applications employees already use in their daily work.

-- BERNAMA

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

 

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


- Contributing to Addressing Environmental Challenges in Casablanca, Morocco -


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact

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

Source : Kanadevia Corporation

Vocalbeats.AI Named Strategic Partner Of AGI Playground 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Vocalbeats.AI, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI)-powered audio company, has announced its role as Strategic Partner of AGI Playground 2026, taking place on Aug 3 to 4 at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.

The company in a statement said the partnership deepens its engagement with the global AI community and builds on its commitment to advancing voice AI, human-centric product design, and the development of Singapore’s AI ecosystem.

Organised by Founder Park, GeekPark’s incubated founders’ community, AGI Playground makes its global debut in Singapore this year, having drawn more than 1,500 AI founders, engineers and operators at past editions. 

The Singapore edition is positioned as a builder-focused gathering rather than a traditional summit, with speakers and guests from leading technology organisations including OpenAI, AMI Labs, Genspark, and Insta360.

The two-day programme is anchored around two themes, namely “Go Action”, focused on AI agents solving real-world problems beyond chat interfaces, and “Go Physical”, exploring how AI moves off the screen into robotics, hardware, and embodied systems.

The partnership builds on Vocalbeats.AI’s broader engagement with Singapore’s AI ecosystem. Its participation in AGI Playground reflects its commitment to supporting AI innovation and nurturing the next generation of talent.

In 2026, the company served as Gold Sponsor of SuperAI 2026, joined SGTech's Singapore Enterprise Chapter, and established university scholarship programmes with NTU Singapore and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

The company’s broader product philosophy focuses on improving everyday life through more lifelike, intuitive and accessible voice AI. Its flagship applications, Owll and Owll Translator, are voice-first productivity tools available across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and web, and have achieved top App Store rankings across more than 100 markets worldwide.

Vocalbeats.AI said it looks forward to building new partnerships and exploring the technologies that will shape the future of voice AI as it continues to evolve from a convenience feature into a foundational layer of how people work and communicate.

-- BERNAMA

LENDLEASE REIT REPORTS HIGHER 2H FY2026 REVENUE, DPU

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-- BERNAMA

Bitget Integrates TradingView Charts for Commodities (CFD) Market

 

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Aug 4 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has upgraded its CFD platform with a native TradingView integration, bringing professional-grade market analysis and order execution into a single interface. The enhancement reflects a broader evolution in trading platform design, where reducing friction has become as important as expanding market access.

As traders increasingly participate across assets, the trading experience has become fragmented between analysis and execution. Active traders rely on external charting platforms to monitor markets before returning to their exchange to place trades, creating unnecessary delays during fast-moving market conditions. Bitget's latest upgrade removes that disconnect by embedding TradingView directly into the CFD trading experience.

TradingView now serves as the default charting interface for Bitget CFD, allowing users to analyze markets and execute trades from the same screen. The integration includes customizable chart layouts, split-screen market monitoring, an extensive library of technical indicators, and advanced drawing tools, enabling traders to monitor multiple markets while executing positions without leaving the platform.

“With this integration we’ve removed the friction of switching between live charts in CFD trading; providing efficiency for traders to capitalize on market opportunities.” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget.

The upgrade builds on Bitget's broader Universal Exchange vision of creating a unified trading environment across asset classes. While much of the industry's focus has been on expanding access to new markets, Bitget is equally focused on simplifying how users interact with those markets by reducing the operational complexity between research, analysis, and execution.

Bitget CFD enables users to trade global financial markets, including commodities, foreign exchange, and indices, through a single USDT-settled account. The addition of TradingView further strengthens the platform's analytical capabilities while supporting a more streamlined workflow for active traders seeking institutional-grade tools within a unified trading experience.

To find out more, visit here.

About Bitget

Bitget is the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users and offering access to over 2M crypto tokens, 500+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX, and precious metals such as gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI agent, which co-pilots trade execution. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships such as MotoGP™. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in the tokenized TradFi market, providing the industry's lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.

For more information, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf6e9eb6-0cc1-4859-a740-a547f08c0045 

SOURCE: Bitget Limited

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

Lumora Closes Pre-Seed Round to Tap South Korea's USD 145 Billion Industrial Solar Market

South Korea's first idle-land-dedicated IPP secures multi-fund backing and 43.6 MW pipeline


SEOUL, South Korea, Aug 3 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Lumora, South Korea's first Independent Power Producer (IPP) dedicated to underutilized industrial space, has closed a pre-seed financing round led by a fund anchored by Yuhan-Kimberly—one of the nation’s most recognized consumer goods companies—and managed by MYSC (My Social Company), alongside HGI and other strategic investors. Financial terms remain undisclosed. The company plans to continue raising capital from global investors as it scales its pipeline.

Market Opportunity

Korea's industrial sector has an estimated USD 145 billion worth of untapped rooftop and parking space. Unlike fee-based developers, Lumora directly owns and operates solar assets under a full-stack IPP model, securing long-term generation revenue while delivering energy savings to customers.

Traction & Recognition

Since founding, Lumora has assembled a 43.6 MW nationwide pipeline across Korea, securing co-investment from major conglomerates. It earned back-to-back government recognition: the 2026 Eco-Startup Growth Program (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment) and the 19th Startup NEST cohort (Korea Credit Guarantee Fund).

Full-Stack Platform

Lumora's strategy targets three layers of the industrial energy stack: solar generation (rooftop lease and the newly launched ZeroOne self-consumption subscription), energy management (proprietary FEMS integrated), and energy savings (ESCO projects planned as the next growth lever).

Leadership

CEO has 15+ years of experience in renewable PF energy and led Korea's first blind-pool rooftop solar PF fund, establishing the credit framework Lumora applies to every deal. CBO adds over USD 44 million in solar BD experience. The broader team carries a combined 595 MW development track record across Korea, Germany, Vietnam, and Ireland.

Global Comparables

Lumora's model mirrors that of Altus Power (NYSE: AMPS, USD 2.2B) in the U.S. and CleanMax in India, both of which have built significant enterprise value through patient asset accumulation in industrial distributed generation.

Hyungjun Kim, CEO of Lumora, said, “Every factory has a unique load profile and energy environment. Lumora's edge is the ability to run integrated energy diagnostics and back the right solution with our own capital — from generation to management to savings.”

About Lumora

Lumora is South Korea's first IPP specializing in underutilized industrial space — factory rooftops, parking structures, and idle land. Backed by a fund anchored by Yuhan-Kimberly and managed by MYSC, alongside HGI and other strategic investors.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260802447224/en/

Contact

Lee Ji Yeon
bella.lee@lumora.kr

Source : Lumora Co., Ltd.

MARY KAY REPORTS PROGRESS ON 2030 SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

Mary Kay's annual 2026 Sustainability Report highlights the company's decades-long dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability - core pillars central to its business strategy and its purpose-driven legacy rooted in Mary Kay's mission of “enriching women’s lives” around the world. (Image Credit: Mary Kay Inc.)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Mary Kay Inc has released its 2026 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress towards its 2030 goals and key achievements in environmental, social and economic initiatives in 2025.

In a statement, the global beauty company said the report reflects its continued focus on sustainability, women’s empowerment and responsible business practices, which form part of its long-term strategy.

Mary Kay Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Rogers said the company’s commitment to enriching women’s lives continues to guide its operations, innovation and efforts to create sustainable impact worldwide.

Among its environmental achievements, Mary Kay reported progress in responsible packaging, resource conservation, sustainable sourcing and water management. The company said 100 per cent of water used at its Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing/R&D Center (R3) in Texas is treated and recycled back into the local watershed.

On social impact, Mary Kay said it has contributed more than US$230 million in monetary and in-kind donations through the company and its foundations since 1996, supporting initiatives including cancer research, domestic violence prevention and opportunities for women and families. (US$1=RM4.08)

The company also reported that more than 600,000 women globally have been positively impacted through empowerment initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, education and community development, while more than US$234,000 in grants has been awarded to young women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Economically, Mary Kay said women hold 63 per cent of its global workforce positions, with women also representing a majority of leadership roles in several key areas.

The company has expanded its presence to 40 markets worldwide and continued its digital transformation through the rollout of its My Shop platform, which provides Independent Beauty Consultants with personalised online storefronts.

Mary Kay said the sustainability report aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serves as a reference for stakeholders and partners working towards environmental and social impact.

-- BERNAMA

HORIZON QUANTUM TO ENHANCE QUANTUM SYSTEMS EFFICIENCY WITH QM

Horizon Quantum's CEO Dr. Joe Fitzsimons and Quantum Machines' CEO Dr. Itamar Sivan at Horizon Quantum's quantum hardware testbed

 
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Horizon Quantum Computing Pte Ltd (Horizon Quantum), a pioneer in software infrastructure for quantum applications, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Q.M Technologies Ltd (QM) to develop more robust and efficient quantum systems.

According to Horizon Quantum in a statement, the collaboration will leverage QM's quantum control platform and engineering expertise to develop embedded calibration technologies for its first in-house hardware testbed system, Ember-1, with the aim of delivering more reliable, continuously operating quantum systems.

Horizon Quantum Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joe Fitzsimons said this strategic collaboration provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of more stable and high-performing quantum systems.

“By bringing together Horizon Quantum’s expertise in quantum software and QM’s expertise in quantum control, I believe we can develop lightweight calibration routines that increase uptime and improve the reliability of our testbed system,” he said.

The company said it intends to develop an embedded calibration framework that enables lightweight calibration routines to be executed during normal system operation, reducing reliance on lengthy full-system calibration cycles.

By updating system parameters more frequently, the framework is designed to reduce downtime, improve operational stability and maintain high-performance operation over extended runtimes.

Horizon Quantum will also leverage QM's OPX1000 control system to support the development, with improved Ember-1 uptime expected to increase access time for Triple Alpha users.

The collaboration reflects both companies' commitment to advancing practical quantum computing by combining quantum software and control technologies to support scalable, high-performance quantum systems.

-- BERNAMA

REGASK HIGHLIGHTS ECOVADIS SUSTAINABILITY RECOGNITION

KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- RegASK, the agentic artificial intelligence (AI)-native regulatory platform, has highlighted its EcoVadis Committed badge, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, ethics, and responsible business practices.

EcoVadis is a global provider of business sustainability ratings that evaluates companies across four areas, namely environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

In a statement, RegASK said the recognition supports its efforts to maintain governance, transparency and accountability standards across its operations and partner ecosystem.

RegASK founder and chief executive officer, Caroline Shleifer said the recognition reflects the company's focus on building long-term partnerships with global enterprises while maintaining high standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, its vice president, business operations, Remie Abdel Latif said the EcoVadis badge demonstrates that RegASK's internal controls, ethical standards and operational practices are aligned with the expectations of large global organisations.

This milestone reflects RegASK’s commitment to embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its technology, operations, and partner ecosystem, ensuring that innovation in regulatory intelligence is built on a foundation of trust and responsibility.

RegASK said the recognition strengthens its position as a technology partner for companies in the life sciences and consumer products sectors, where sustainability and supplier accountability are becoming increasingly important business requirements.

-- BERNAMA

ARTEL OPENS PRE-ORDERS FOR PTP ETHERNET SWITCH

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Artel Video Systems, a Patton company and provider of media transport and broadcast networking solutions, has announced the availability for pre-order of its Quarra PTP-10GSE12SFP 10-gigabits-per-second (Gbps) Precision Timing Protocol (PTP) Ethernet Switch.

Purpose-built for Pro AV, media broadcasting, factory automation and 4G/5G mobile backhaul, the latest member of the Quarra switch family delivers nanosecond-accurate timing for mission-critical networks.

According to a statement, four models are now available for pre-order with single or dual DC and AC power supply options.

“We designed this switch with broadcast and Pro AV in mind. The option for DC or AC, single or dual power supplies, Sync-E, 1PPS input/output ports, and 12 SFP+ ports make this a uniquely powerful and versatile part of any timing-sensitive media transport network,” said Artel Video Systems Director, Media Transport Systems, Tim Godby.

The Quarra is a carrier-class managed Ethernet switch that combines 12 10G SFP+ fibre ports with eight Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) copper ports. It supports both Leaf and Spine switch functions in a single ruggedised unit.

Designed for live broadcast environments, the new device supports IEEE 1588 PTPv2 with all clocking modes to help eliminate timing errors. Every port can be individually configured for SyncE or PTP timestamp delivery.

-- BERNAMA

FOUR TAIWAN GROUPS TO PERFORM AT EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

Lei Dance Theater will be featured at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.


KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Four Taiwanese performing arts groups will present their productions at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August under the Taiwan Season programme, showcasing the island's contemporary performing arts to international audiences.

The participating groups are Lu Production, Mailantia Dance Company, Seed Dance Company and Lei Dance Theater, with performances ranging from theatre and dance to cross-cultural collaborations, according to a statement.

Lu Production will stage "Birthday Party", a performance combining balloons, magic and storytelling, while Mailantia Dance Company's "Under Mask" examines the identities and personas people adopt in modern society.

Seed Dance Company's "The Wall" explores emotional barriers and interpersonal relationships through contemporary dance, while Lei Dance Theater will present "Proximities", a Taiwan-France collaboration reflecting on isolation, intimacy and community.

The production will be performed at Dance Base in Scotland from Aug 6 to 30, with 22 evening performances scheduled during the festival.

The performances form part of the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2026 initiative, which aims to promote Taiwan's artistic creativity and cultural diversity through international cultural exchanges.

-- BERNAMA