Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO Launches Limited-Time Anniversary Stay Plan

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO has marked its first anniversary with the launch of a limited-edition “Thank You Anniversary Stay”, an all-inclusive premium accommodation plan designed for small groups seeking an elevated winter experience in Niseko.

Available for one exclusive party staying three nights between Jan 7 and March 8, 2026, the plan is priced at 3.9 million Japanese yen—a play on the Japanese pronunciation of “3.9”, which sounds like “thank you”. (100 Japanese yen = RM2.55)

The stay combines premium accommodation, private transportation, dining, guided tours, and curated experiences into a seamless winter getaway. The plan is limited to a single group per stay.

Guests will enjoy exclusive use of the hotel’s largest Nikko Style Suite and adjoining Premium Studio Suite View, connected by a private 66-square-metre rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the Niseko HANAZONO Resort slopes.

The plan accommodates up to seven adults and offers a secluded retreat amid Hokkaido’s winter landscape, according to a statement.

The package includes round-trip airport transfers, a private luxury vehicle with a dedicated driver allowing guests to travel freely throughout Kutchan, Hirafu, and the greater Niseko area, three-day lift passes for the Hanazono and Hirafu ski areas, and a half-day private tour to destinations such as Otaru, Sapporo, Lake Toya, or Lake Shikotsu.

Guests will be welcomed with a curated gift set featuring local Hokkaido and Niseko specialities.

Crafted in line with the brand promise “Your Stay, Your Style”, the anniversary plan offers an immersive and indulgent way to experience Niseko’s world-renowned winter season.

-- BERNAMA

NEXUS MERIDIAN CAPITAL TO EXPAND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, CREATING OVER 200 JOBS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Nexus Meridian Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd has announced plans to establish five new regional offices across Southeast Asia by 2026, creating more than 200 high-value jobs.

The strategic expansion reflects Malaysia’s shift from a traditional business outsourcing model to a more complex, system-driven digital economy, supported by policy maturity, infrastructure, and converging capital flows.

As part of this trend, technology-orientated holding companies are increasingly establishing physical entities in Malaysia to participate in long-term digital development, with Nexus Meridian Capital standing out as a leading example, according to a statement.

The company has adopted a systematic approach for market entry, focusing on platform viability, artificial intelligence integration, and governance and integration. This aligns with the global shift from "rapid expansion" toward "structural quality and sustainability".

While individual project lifecycles are often limited, long-term value resides in underlying systems and platform architecture. Nexus Meridian Capital functions as a holding entity that builds replicable, scalable technical frameworks rather than chasing short-term scale, providing strong resilience against market cycles.

Malaysia offers a mature, transparent regulatory framework alongside a market still in a deep phase of digital transformation. The country increasingly serves as a pivotal node for regional synergy, enabling long-term strategic positioning and platform integration.

The core challenge for Nexus Meridian lies in evolving its platform capabilities while maintaining stability. In a tech landscape returning to rationality, enterprises focused on systems may attract less initial attention but often demonstrate superior value over extended cycles.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Post-Telecommunication Joint Stock Insurance Corporation

SINGAPORE, Jan 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good), and the Vietnam National Scale Rating of aaa.VN (Exceptional) of Post-Telecommunication Joint Stock Insurance Corporation (PTI) (Vietnam). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect PTI’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

PTI’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which remained at the strongest level in 2024, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Capital adequacy has improved in recent years, driven by full earnings retention and portfolio restructuring. The company has a moderate-risk investment strategy, with the majority of investments held in cash and deposits, coupled with some higher-risk investments that include corporate bonds, real estate and equities. In addition, PTI’s exposure to large risks and natural catastrophes is partially mitigated through its reinsurance programme, whereby its reinsurance counterparties are generally of good credit quality.

AM Best assesses PTI’s operating performance as adequate as demonstrated by a five-year weighted average return-on-equity ratio of 8.6% (2020-2024). The company’s underwriting performance continued to show improvements following tightened underwriting guidelines and portfolio restructuring. In addition, PTI’s investment returns, consisting primarily of interest income, have been a relatively stable contributor to its overall earnings over the last five years.

PTI’s market share has reduced over the last three years, in part due to business restructuring and tighter risk selection. The company’s key product lines are mainly short-tail personal insurance, namely, motor, health and personal accident. PTI also benefits from a wide distribution network and good relationships with distribution partners.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2026 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113297866/en/

Contact

Ken Lau
Senior Financial Analyst
+65 6303 5025
ken.lau@ambest.com

Chris Lim, CFA
Associate Director
+65 6303 5018
chris.lim@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com

Source : AM Best

Meltwater Achieves SOC 2 Type II Certification, Reinforcing Commitment to Data Security and Trust

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 9 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meltwater, a global leader in media, social, and consumer intelligence, has achieved SOC 2 Type II certification, underscoring the company's commitment to maintaining the highest standards for data security.

The certification confirms that Meltwater’s systems and processes are designed and operating effectively to protect customer data and support enterprise-grade security requirements.

“At Meltwater, trust, safety and security are foundational,” said Aditya Jami, Chief Technology Officer at Meltwater. “Achieving SOC 2 Type II certification reflects the rigor of our security practices and our ongoing investment in protecting customer data across our global platform.”

SOC 2 Type II certification assesses an organization’s controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, validating not only their design but their effectiveness over time. For Meltwater customers across industries, the certification provides assurance that Meltwater meets stringent security and compliance expectations.

This milestone builds on Meltwater’s ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and ISO 42001 certifications and the company’s broader approach to responsible data stewardship, which includes continuous monitoring, internal controls, and regular third-party assessments to adapt to evolving security and regulatory requirements. With growing concerns surrounding data privacy and security, these certifications are a testament to Meltwater's proactive approach in addressing these challenges.

For more information about Meltwater’s security and compliance practices, visit Meltwater’s Trust Center.

For more information, please contact:
Kelly Costello
pr@meltwater.com

About Meltwater
Meltwater empowers companies with a suite of solutions that spans media, social and consumer intelligence. By analyzing ~1 billion pieces of content each day and transforming them into vital insights, Meltwater unlocks the competitive edge needed to drive results. With 27,000 global customers, 50 offices across six continents, and 2,200 employees, Meltwater is the industry partner of choice for global brands making an impact. Learn more at meltwater.com. 

SOURCE: Meltwater

--BERNAMA 

Synchronoss Expands Personal Cloud, Previews Event-Based Group App At CES 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Synchronoss Technologies Inc (Synchronoss), a global leader and innovator in personal cloud solutions, has unveiled expanded capabilities across its white-label Synchronoss Personal Cloud platform at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.

“At CES, we are demonstrating how Synchronoss continues to strengthen the foundation of our cloud platform while expanding how it can be used and experienced. Our focus remains on helping partners deliver trusted and meaningful services to their customers,” said Synchronoss President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Miller.

At the event, Synchronoss showcased new enhancements to its white-label Personal Cloud platform designed to help operators and brands deliver secure, scalable, and differentiated cloud services. Updates strengthen core content management, cross-device backup and sync, and cloud intelligence.

The platform now includes enhanced privacy and security controls, including locked folders for sensitive content, granular access and sharing permissions, and integrated document scanning capabilities for securely storing physical documents.

Synchronoss in a statement said it also highlighted continued momentum for Capsyl, its turnkey personal cloud solution, and provided a preview of a new event-based digital experience focused on shared moments and group engagement.

On its one-year anniversary following a successful market launch, Capsyl is expanding beyond mobile to support additional access types and consumer protection use cases, including fixed broadband and integrated security capabilities.

This expansion enables broader household and multi-device experiences, reflecting growing demand for turnkey cloud services with premium features, localisation, and fast time to market.

The new event-based experience leverages the Synchronoss cloud platform to create dedicated cloud spaces for events, bringing photos, videos, and related content together in one place for easy contribution, access, and revisiting.

The experience is being explored for direct-to-consumer use as well as future distribution or integration through strategic partners. The concept demonstrates how personal cloud can evolve beyond static storage to support collaborative content experiences while maintaining strong security and privacy controls.

-- BERNAMA

GDU Launches UAV-P300, The World’s First Drone with AI-Driven Optical & Electronic Fog Penetration Capabilities

 

The UAV-P300 is an AI-powered enterprise drone platform built for clear imaging in fog, reliable day-night operations, and safe autonomous flight across complex environments 

LAS VEGAS, Jan 7 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- -- CES -- GDU, a professional-grade drone leader established in 2015, today announced the launch of UAV-P300, the world’s first AI-powered optical and electronic fog-penetrating drone. Purpose-built for public safety, smart city operations, aerial surveying, and cultural tourism, the UAV-P300 delivers 50% clearer visibility in rain or fog, high-performance night capture, and long-range autonomous operation. Its advanced payload options, AI-enhanced navigation, and seamless compatibility with GDU’s auto-docking stations make it a versatile solution for complex field environments.

“GDU has always focused on building practical, real-world solutions — not just hardware,” said Jie Leng, GDU R&D Director. “With the UAV-P300, we’re giving operators clearer vision, safer navigation, and reliable performance in the kinds of environments where accuracy truly matters. Whether it’s supporting public safety teams, helping cities monitor critical infrastructure, or enabling surveyors to work without weather disruptions, the UAV-P300 reflects our commitment to making advanced aerial technology genuinely useful to the people who depend on it.”

​The UAV-P300 is designed to support a wide range of real-world operations. For first responders, it improves visibility in critical moments and challenging conditions. Smart city teams can automate routine monitoring with more consistency, even in shifting weather. Surveying professionals benefit from stable, high-detail imaging across varied terrain. And in cultural tourism settings, the P300 helps document and protect heritage sites with minimal disruption.

Reliable Performance in Fog, Rain, Dust, and Low-Contrast Weather

The UAV-P300 maintains clear visibility when weather conditions shift unexpectedly. Its optical, electronic, and AI-driven defogging system boosts clarity by up to 50% in rain or fog, enabling public safety and smart city operators to continue missions that typically pause during low-visibility weather. An IP55 ingress protection rating against dust and water further ensures that the UAV-P300 remains mission-ready even if the forecast changes.

Clear Imaging in Day or Night Conditions

The UAV-P300 captures crisp, detailed visuals in bright, low-light, and backlit environments thanks to its 50MP wide-angle sensor and advanced starlight night-vision system. Even after dark, operators can see essential details through full-color 4K night vision, IRCut switching, and NIR illumination. This makes nighttime assessments, public safety response, and city monitoring significantly more reliable.

Sharp Long-Range Detail From a Safe Distance

With 11× continuous optical zoom, 176× hybrid zoom, and stabilized gimbal control, the UAV-P300 records distant subjects with clarity while maintaining a safe stand-off distance. Teams can observe infrastructure, capture inspection details, or assess emergency scenes without needless risk, improving both safety and operational efficiency.

Thermal Accuracy for Day–Night Monitoring

The drone’s upgraded thermal module delivers clean, high-contrast thermal imagery enhanced by AI for better identification and measurement. Heat sources, anomalies, and activity remain detectable in darkness, heavy shadows, or complex surroundings, supporting search-and-rescue, infrastructure checks, and heritage-site monitoring.

Safe and Confident Flight in Complex Environments

The UAV-P300 uses LIDAR and AI-powered obstacle recognition to navigate around structures, cables, and unexpected hazards. This capability supports confident operation in dense urban areas and tight spaces where low-altitude flying is often required for inspections or emergency work.

Stable Operation When GNSS Signals Fail

In areas where GNSS performance is weak, such as tunnels, industrial facilities, or dense city blocks, the UAV-P300 switches to visual SLAM fusion navigation to maintain stable flight and dependable return-to-home behavior. Surveying teams and operators working near interference-heavy environments gain reliable performance without interruption.

Precise Distance and Target Marking for Faster Decisions

The UAV-P300’s 2 km laser rangefinding enables quick pinpointing, marking, and measurement of targets. Operators can capture distance data, highlight key locations, and share information instantly through the UVER platform, improving coordination for emergency response and inspection workflows.

​Availability

The UAV-P300 will be available for purchase starting in late January 2026. For order-related inquiries, please contact GDU at +86 755 8656 5514, email: sales@gdu-tech.com or visit www.gdutech.com.

About GDU

GDU, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Optics Valley, is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the full lifecycle of drone development, including R&D, manufacturing, operations, maintenance, and data services. With nearly 800 employees, over 60% dedicated to research and engineering, GDU builds professional-grade drones, intelligent payloads, automatic hangars, and software platforms backed by fully independent system IP and robust hardware, links, and data security. Today, GDU’s solutions are deployed across more than 300 cities worldwide, supporting smart city management, public safety, power line inspections, emergency response, environmental monitoring, cultural tourism, and other industrial applications, helping organizations operate more safely, efficiently, and intelligently.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/43920188-b79a-4be2-9efd-d12337153f56 

SOURCE: GDU-TECH CO., LTD.

Uni-Fuels Advances Global Operations with Next Phase of Expansion

SINGAPORE, Jan 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uni-Fuels Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: UFG), (“Uni-Fuels” or the “Company”), a global provider of marine fuel solutions headquartered in Singapore, today announced the next phase of its global expansion strategy, focused on scaling its global operations through disciplined organic growth across key maritime markets. As part of this approach, the Company is evaluating potential strategic opportunities, including, among others, acquisitions, over time, where such opportunities align with its long-term growth strategy.

This announcement builds on Uni-Fuels’ expansion to Dubai, Shanghai, and Limassol in 2025 and provides the strategic framework for additional office openings and operational initiatives designed to support long-term corporate development.

As part of this next phase, Uni-Fuels’ expansion strategy is guided by the following priorities:

• Supporting shipowners and operators across global shipping routes, including both major trade corridors and niche ports, with consistent service and execution standards
• Maintaining strong operational discipline, including counterparty risk management and regulatory compliance, as the Company scales its activities
• Addressing increasing market and regulatory complexity, including the implementation of decarbonization-related measures such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which directly affect voyage economics, fuel selection, and emissions compliance obligations
• Supporting a growing diversity of marine fuel requirements, including conventional, transitional, and emerging fuels, as customers adapt fuel strategies in response to emissions-related cost considerations and fuel-intensity regulations such as FuelEU Maritime
• Strengthening scale, operational capability, and broadening geographic reach to meet customer needs in an evolving global bunker and regulatory landscape

In executing this next phase, Uni-Fuels will prioritize organic growth by expanding its team, deepening customer relationships, and increasing market coverage in key regions, such as Europe, the Americas, and other major international shipping hubs. The Company will also continue to enhance partnerships with physical suppliers, logistics providers, and counterparties to support efficient, reliable, and resilient fuel supply across its global network.

As noted above, the Company may from time to time evaluate strategic opportunities, subject to market conditions, necessary approvals, and strategic fit. Any such opportunities would be considered with a focus on financial discipline, cultural fit, and the potential to enhance the Company’s existing trading and operational capabilities.

“This next phase of expansion reflects our focus on scaling Uni-Fuels’ global operations in a disciplined and measured manner,” said Mr. Koh Kuan Hua, Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Fuels. “As bunker markets evolve, shaped by increasing regulatory complexity, decarbonization measures, and a growing range of marine fuel requirements, we are strengthening our operational capabilities and geographic reach to support customers across an increasingly complex bunker landscape, while maintaining high standards of operational discipline, risk management, and regulatory compliance. We are investing organically to expand our market coverage and business capabilities, while remaining open to strategic opportunities that align with our long-term objectives.”

About Uni-Fuels Holdings Limited

Uni-Fuels is a fast-growing global provider of marine fuel solutions with a growing presence across major shipping hubs, including Singapore, Seoul, Dubai, Shanghai, and Limassol. Established in 2021, Uni-Fuels has evolved into a dynamic, forward-thinking company delivering customer-centric, compliant, and reliable fuel solutions across global markets and time zones, supported by 24/7 operational support year-round. Backed by a globally integrated operating platform, experienced industry professionals, and an extensive global supply network, Uni-Fuels has built trusted partnerships with customers, supporting them in achieving their operational objectives and decarbonization goals amid the maritime industry’s ongoing energy transformation.

For more information, visit www.uni-fuels.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “can have”, “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements represent Uni-Fuels’ current expectations regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to execute on the contemplated expansion plan in a timely, cost effective and efficient manner, its ability to continue its cross-border regulatory compliance, its ability to attract, evaluable and complete acquisitions with suitable candidates, and other risks and uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 22, 2025. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

Contact Information

For Investor Relations:
Uni-Fuels Holdings Limited
Email: investors@uni-fuels.com 

SOURCE: UNI-FUELS Holdings LTD.