Hears & Sees

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed South Korea’s KB Insurance Co Ltd (KBI) financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a” (Excellent), with a stable outlook. These credit ratings (ratings) reflect KBI’s strong balance sheet, adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management, as well as support from its parent, KB Financial Group Inc (KB Group), AM Best said in a statement. KBI’s risk-adjusted capitalisation is assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, while its local solvency ratio is largely in line with the industry average and demonstrates an adequate buffer above the minimum regulatory requirements. AM Best calculated KBI’s adjusted financial leverage at 8.2 per cent as of June 2026 and said the company has good access to capital markets and a conservative investment strategy. KBI’s return on equity and com...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Space42, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artificial intelligence (AI)-powered SpaceTech company, United States satellite firm Viasat Inc and Canada’s Terrestar Solutions Inc have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop an open, standards-based framework linking their planned satellite networks for direct-to-device (D2D) mobile services. The MoU was signed during Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s official visit to Canada, where he held talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney. The framework would link Terrestar’s planned Canadian low-Earth orbit constellation, CaStar, with Equatys, a planned global shared platform for D2D and other mobile-satellite services (MSS). Space42 and Viasat signed a binding agreement in September to co-found Equatys, backed by up to US$1 billion in combined equity commitments. (US$1 = RM4.07) Each operator would keep ownership and control of its satellites, ground infrastruct...

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct 22 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Egg Medical today announced the publication of a prospective study in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) evaluating its EggNest Enhanced Radiation Protection Devices ( ERPDs ). Conducted at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, the real-world clinical study demonstrates that radiation protection allows interventional lab personnel to perform procedures safely without heavy personal lead aprons. Validating these clinical findings in practice, the Texas Department of State Health Services recently granted a state radiation variance to Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio . "The EggNest system protects the entire team so they can choose to go apron-free or wear ultralight aprons that feel like a light vest," said Dr. Santiago Garcia , interventional cardiologist at The Christ Hospital and principal investigator of the study. "This comprehensive data provides interventional teams with an evidence-b...

  KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Twice-daily supplements of calcium-rich whey permeate helped maintain bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, according to a 12-month clinical study that tested products from dairy company Arla Foods Ingredients. The study is part of the RENEW project, a research collaboration investigating how calcium-rich permeate, a by-product of whey production, could be used as a food ingredient to counter bone loss in postmenopausal women. Declining oestrogen levels during menopause can speed up bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis. A total of 316 women completed the study, which used Arla Foods Ingredients’ Capolac, a calcium-rich milk-based ingredient, and Variolac, a lactose-based ingredient. “Approximately one in five older adults globally has osteoporosis. It is especially common among postmenopausal women and across Asia, highlighting the need for effective nutritional strategies and the potential of calcium-rich whey permeate to supp...

SFD CEO and Kosovar's minsters sideline meeting (Photo: AETOSWire) PRISTINA, Kosovo, Oct 14 (Bernama--BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) today joined the Government of Kosovo to inaugurate the Pristina–Mitrovica Highway, marking SFD’s first completed project in Kosovo and an important milestone in the partnership between both sides. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261013433726/en/     His Excellency Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, inaugurated the upgraded highway section by cutting the ribbon at the newly completed road. He subsequently held a sideline meetings with His Excellency Hekuran Murati, Minister of Finance, His Excellency Dimal Basha Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, and His Excellency Arben Vitia, Minister of Health, to discuss the development projects and the continued SFD- Kosovo partnership. The pro...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- A.P. Moller Capital, a global institutional fund manager, has agreed to acquire 100 per cent of Singapore-based ports operator Portek International Pte Ltd (Portek) from Japan’s Mitsui & Co Ltd (Mitsui) through its Emerging Markets Infrastructure Fund II (EMIF II). “Portek is a strong fit with our investment strategy and active owner philosophy. It is an established business with a diversified portfolio of port operations serving important trade flows across three continents, supported by experienced local operating teams,” said A.P. Moller Capital Partner, Semih Gökmen. A.P. Moller Capital in a statement said the acquisition is aligned with its focus on transport and logistics infrastructure and that it plans to focus on operational performance, governance, safety, capital discipline and environmental performance at Portek after completion. The deal adds to A.P. Moller Capital’s investments in Philippines-based AC Logistics and Bergé Logistics, wh...

SYDNEY, Oct 16 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how people interact with technology, the online trading industry is entering a new phase in the evolution of trading tools. From analysing information to managing increasingly complex workflows, AI-powered applications are opening up new possibilities for traders looking to bring greater efficiency and accessibility to their trading experience. Against this backdrop, Axi, a global online trading broker, has announced the launch of its Axi MCP integration, connecting eligible MT5 accounts to Claude, the AI assistant developed by Anthropic. The integration brings AI-powered interaction directly into the trading environment, allowing eligible clients to access live market data, track positions, execute trades and update risk parameters through Claude. Built on Model Context Protocol, an open standard for connecting AI applications with external tools and data, the integration reflects the growing c...

SYDNEY, Oct 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how people interact with technology, the online trading industry is entering a new phase in the evolution of trading tools. From analysing information to managing increasingly complex workflows, AI-powered applications are opening up new possibilities for traders looking to bring greater efficiency and accessibility to their trading experience. Against this backdrop, Axi, a global online trading broker, has announced the launch of its Axi MCP integration, connecting eligible MT5 accounts to Claude, the AI assistant developed by Anthropic. The integration brings AI-powered interaction directly into the trading environment, allowing eligible clients to access live market data, track positions, execute trades and update risk parameters through Claude. Built on Model Context Protocol, an open standard for connecting AI applications with external tools and data, the integration reflects the growing co...

TOKYO, Oct 9 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- On November 4, 2026, the Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers’ Association (JAIMA), in cooperation with the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Japanese research institutions, and government agencies, will hold its first joint symposium in Malaysia. Under the theme of “Green Technology,” the symposium will explore local social and environmental challenges through analytical instruments and measurement technologies, showcasing research, technologies, and initiatives from Japanese and Malaysian institutions and companies toward a decarbonized society. The event will also promote knowledge exchange and collaborative solutions as Malaysia advances its green transformation (GX) initiatives toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.    Event Overview   Date and time Wednesday, November 4, 2026 8:30–15:00 Malaysia Time (9:30–16:00 Japan Time) Organized by Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers’ As...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Going International Asset Management Limited has received the Capital Excellence Fund Award at the Capital Merits of Achievement in Banking and Finance 2026 for its financial technology innovation, quantitative investment research and development capabilities, and fund performance. According to a statement, the award recognises Going Asset’s strengths in asset management and its technology-driven approach, following the announcement of the winners by financial publication Capital Magazine on Sept 29. The awards recognise financial institutions that have contributed to the development of Hong Kong’s financial sector. Winners are selected based on criteria including overall performance, service quality and reputation. Now in their 17th consecutive edition, the awards have also recognised institutions such as BOC-Prudential Asset Management, CCB International, Dah Sing Bank, Hang Seng Investment Management Limited and Nanyang Commercial Bank. Going Asset ...

Mohammad Hafezh Abdul Rahman, Chief Sustainability & Information Officer     KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) today marked the completion of three capacitybuilding programmes aimed at strengthening the Malaysian rubber industry’s knowledge and capabilities in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions assessment and management,supporting the industry’s broader ESG and low-carbon transition.  Implemented under the 2026 Low Carbon Transition Roadmap (LCTR) Project , the programmes equipped industry participants with practical knowledge and capabilities in GHG emissions assessment and management, covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and selected Scope 3 emissions. The programmes mark the first year of implementation of the three-year MRC-MGTC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 2025–2028, which supports sustainability and low-carbon initiatives for the Malaysian rubber industry....

New AI Range Enterprise and AI-augmented roles with Competence Scoring give organizations measurable insight into AI performance, human judgment and competence across defined cybersecurity roles NEW YORK, Oct 7 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hack The Box (HTB) , the leading cybersecurity readiness platform for the human-AI workforce, today introduced AI Range Enterprise Edition, making its industry-first platform for testing and measuring AI security agent effectiveness available to enterprise security teams. The offering enables organizations to evaluate whether their own AI agents can perform the cybersecurity roles assigned to them and make informed decisions about how to use agents across the workforce. Companies often assess whether people can do the job they were hired to do, but AI agents may not face the same scrutiny. A security team may add agents after they perform well in a benchmark or vendor test, without testing them against the actual work they will handle continuously. As ...

  Helical Fusion and new investors for the Series B 2nd close KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Helical Fusion Co Ltd, a fusion energy company, has announced the completion of a 3.23 billion Japanese yen (approximately US$20.6 million) Series B second close (US$1 = RM4.08). The round marks another expansion of the industrial coalition forming around Helical Fusion’s Helix Program, with Japanese electrical and industrial equipment manufacturer Fuji Electric Co Ltd joining as an investor and Official Partner of the Helix Program. In a statement, Helical Fusion said Fuji Electric’s participation represents a significant expansion of the industrial capabilities being brought into the Helix Program. Through the new capital and business alliance, the companies will broaden their collaboration towards the development of products, services, and advanced technologies required for future fusion power systems. “The Helix Program is steadily moving forward. At the Helix HARUKA construction site...

  2026 Eco Dive volunteers (divers and non-divers) came together with KPMG in Malaysia’s Executive Committee to celebrate 20 years of Eco Dive and Malaysia Book of Records recognition as the “Longest-running Corporate Marine Reef Conservation Programme" PETALING JAYA, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- KPMG in Malaysia’s Eco Dive programme in Pulau Tioman has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the “Longest Running Corporate Marine Reef Conservation Programme”.   Established in 2007, KPMG Malaysia’s Eco Dive programme is one of the firm’s longest-running sustainability initiatives, bringing together KPMG volunteers and Reef Check Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to marine conservation in Malaysia. For 20 years, KPMG’s trained volunteer divers have worked closely with Reef Check Malaysia to conduct regular reef monitoring, contributing to a consistent and valuable dataset that tracks changes in reef health over time.   “Being recognised by the Malaysia Book o...

  KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The 2026 “Qinqiang Opera, Resonating Across the World” Xi’an International Communication Event was held in Xi’an from Sept 8 to 10, bringing together young international content creators and international students from eight countries, with media support from Global Times Online. The participants, including those from Russia, France, Pakistan, Mexico and Nepal, visited opera troupes, schools and online audiovisual creation sites, experiencing the cultural heritage of the millennia-old city through Qinqiang opera. At Xi’an Yisu Society, founded in 1912, the young guests watched Qinqiang opera performances and learned about the history of the century-old opera house. Guided by professional instructors, they also tried on opera costumes, had traditional makeup applied and practised stage movements. In addition, performers from the Shaanxi Opera Research Institute demonstrated the art’s basic techniques, including glances, postures and vocal delivery ...

Cargill Philippine’s Plant Groundbreaking Investments across Thailand and the Philippines designed to increase production and grain storage capacity as well expand network of hatcheries, breeder and broiler farms. Initiatives will help strengthen supply chain resilience and reliability for customers across Asia, Japan, Europe and North America. SINGAPORE, Sept 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- As global protein demand and consumer appetite for high-quality cooked poultry products continues to accelerate, Cargill is investing over USD 130 million over next two years to expand its poultry operations across Asia. The investment encompasses capacity and efficiency enhancements across Cargill’s entire poultry network in Thailand and the Philippines and will help strengthen supply chain resilience, enhance food safety, quality and innovation for its foodservice and retail customers globally. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...