A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF FIDELITY LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

SINGAPORE, Jan 31 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Fidelity Life Assurance Company Limited (Fidelity Life) (New Zealand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

 
The ratings reflect Fidelity Life’s strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and favorable operating performance.

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WEBE LIVESTREAMS 'ROOSTER OF DESTINY' TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- TM Group's digital mobility services provider, webe, is streaming digital feed of a live rooster for four days starting today, in celebration of the Chinese New Year (CNY). Chief marketing officer of webe, Lai Shu Wei in a statement said viewers could visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/webedigital/ to watch the bird in his specially-designed rooster house. "The house is split into two halves, whereby one side is yellow and the other red, and each half depicts the answer to a typical CNY question. "The rooster, called 'Rooster of Destiny', will be helping viewers answer some of the common questions they will face this festive season," he said. According to Lai, wherever the rooster stands in the house when the viewer tunes in, is the guidance they should follow to achieve happiness and prosperity in the new year. "The rooster will be 'talking' with fans throughout the period, as well as through a chatbot or 'chickbot', to help respond to questions," he said. Lai added the fun video stream marked the peak of webe's ongoing CNY campaigns, which included the #syiokkawkaw campaign and the #matefor9 promotion. -- BERNAMA

A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF MEIJI YASUDA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

HONG KONG, Jan 27 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” of Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company (Meiji Yasuda) (Japan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

 
The rating affirmations reflect Meiji Yasuda’s strong capitalization, strong business profile and stable operating performance.

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PubMatic Records Adjusted EBITDA Margin Of Over 30 Pct For FY2016

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- California-based PubMatic, Inc., today announced its financial year 2016 results, marked by the highest levels of revenue, profit and free cash flow performance in its ten-year history.

The automation solutions company for an open digital media industry also posted an adjusted EBITDA margin of over 30 per cent.

In a statement, PubMatic said the key drivers of the results include an increased adoption of header bidding, increased mobile and video monetisation and its renewed commitment to customer satisfaction.

Currently, the header bidding technology represents over 75 per cent, of all of PubMatic's available impressions since it launched globally in 2012.

According to its recently released 2016 Quarterly Mobile Index (QMI), PubMatic's advanced mobile monetisation strategies such as private marketplaces and header bidding, resulted in average PubMatic mobile eCPMs increasing by over 30 per cent for mobile web and 16 per cent for mobile app year-over-year.

As such 75 per cent of PubMatic's impressions were generated via mobile devices, while the company realised over 25 per cent of marketer spend, placed against video in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2016.

"Our focus on sell side digital media execution enables publishers and app developers to take control of their advertising decisioning.

"Header bidding and corresponding wrapper technology, maximises the value of demand through increased access to buyers and competitive CPMs," said Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rajeev Goel.

-- BERNAMA

THE WORLD'S TOP CITY DESTINATIONS REVEALED BY EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL

LONDON, Jan 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Market research company Euromonitor International released today the Top 100 City Destinations Ranking for 2015 international arrivals.

 
Despite falling arrivals, Hong Kong remained the top city destination in the world for the seventh consecutive year, with 26.7 million international visitors in 2015. Bangkok overtook London as the world’s second most visited city, with 10 percent growth in international arrivals. London moved down to the third spot in the global ranking but remained the top European city destination with international arrivals growing 7 percent in 2015.

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TOSHIBA LAUNCHES CAR AUDIO CURRENT-FEEDBACK POWER AMPLIFIER IC WITH BUILT-IN FULL-TIME OFFSET DETECTION

TOKYO, Jan 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Corporation's (TOKYO: 6502) Storage & Electronic Devices Solutions Company today announced the launch of “TCB502HQ,” a 4-channel power amplifier IC that detects output offset voltage, a factor in speaker burnout. Mass production starts today.

The new IC integrates a newly developed, full-time offset detection circuit that detects output offset voltage even during sound reproduction, preventing speaker burnout.

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DOCTOR2U LAUNCHES E-COMMERCE SITE HEALTH2U

SHAH ALAM, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Doctor2U recently announced the launching of a new healthcare ecommerce platform, Health2U. Unlike other e-commerce sites in Malaysia, Health2U will focus exclusively on listing health-related products and services. These will include health products such as vitamins and supplements, medical devices, health screening packages, surgery packages, and more. 

“We are very excited about the launch of the Health2U platform. We believe Health2U will fit perfectly within the Doctor2U ecosystem and its mission of making healthcare as convenient and accessible as possible,” said Keegan Flynn, co-founder of Doctor2U.

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A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF THE DAI-ICHI LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, LIMITED

HONG KONG, Jan 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” of The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited (DL) (Japan), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

 
The ratings reflect DL’s strong risk-adjusted capitalization, strong market position and favorable operating performance.

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COVISINT RECOGNIZED AS SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR BY SAIC GENERAL MOTORS

DETROIT and SHANGHAI, China, Jan 25 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Covisint Corporation (Nasdaq:COVS) today announced it has been recognized as a supplier of the year by SAIC General Motors for the second consecutive year during the Annual Suppliers’ Conference and 2016 Suppliers’ Awards Ceremony, held in Wuhan City, January 21, 2017.

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SUPERIOR IN-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE AND GLOBAL COVERAGE SEDUCES ELITE CHINESE TRAVELLERS

VistaJet voted Business Jet Operator Star Performer at Hurun Research Institute’s "Best of the Best" Awards

• Voted for by 449 High Net Worth individuals from more than 40 cities in China
• Second time VistaJet has won the award
• Company was also given the Best Charter Operator Award by Asian Business Aviation Association in November 2016

HONG KONG, Jan 25 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VistaJet, the first and only global aviation company, received the Business Jet Operator Star Performer accolade for the second time at the Hurun Research Institute’s “Best of the Best” awards in Shanghai. The awards are based on the results of the Hurun Report Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey 2017. This is the thirteenth consecutive year Hurun Research has produced a report on the brand preferences, consumption habits and lifestyle trends of China’s wealthiest individuals; considered a benchmark for the luxury sector.
 

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INNOVATORS, FINANCIERS, INDUSTRY LEADERS AND ENTERPRISES GATHER IN SINGAPORE FOR THE INAUGURAL DATACLOUD ASIA 2017, 23 FEBRUARY

BroadGroup’s world-renowned forum for data center and cloud offers insights into enterprise infrastructure opportunities in Asia Pacific

LONDON & SINGAPORE, Jan 24 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- As mega-clouds fuel massive scale data center growth across the Asia Pacific region BroadGroup, the international event and consulting group, will stage the first ever Datacloud Asia (http://www.datacloudasia.com/) the world-renowned forum for data center and cloud on February 23^rd in Singapore. The inaugural event brings innovators, investors, industry leaders and enterprises to debate the Asia drivers, challenges and enterprise infrastructure opportunities in the world’s premier networking and business deal-making congress for data center and cloud.

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XAXIS NAMES ARSHAN SAHA PRESIDENT, ASIA PACIFIC

Arshan Saha succeeds Michel de Rijk, who is now serving as APAC president at GroupM’s [m]PLATFORM, with immediate effect

 

SINGAPORE, Jan 24 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Xaxis, the world’s largest programmatic media and technology platform, announced today the promotion of Arshan Saha to President, Asia Pacific (APAC). Saha was previously Vice President, South and Southeast Asia. As one of the founding members of Xaxis APAC, Saha helped established offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and India.

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Tesco Malaysia Collects Essential Food Items For Underprivileged During Chinese New Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The public can now donate essential food items for the underprivileged during Chinese New Year at eight selected Tesco Stores in the Klang Valley through its 'Festive Food Collection' campaign from Jan 20 to 27.

The Tesco Festive Food Collection campaign, conducted in partnership with Kechara Soup Kitchen and Food Aid Foundation, will see customers placing food items such as cooking oil, rice, canned food, biscuits and other dry food into dedicated collection bins.

Tesco Malaysia Corporate Service director Azliza Baizura Azmel said the eight participating stores were Tesco Kepong, Tesco Ampang, Tesco Extra Selayang, Tesco Extra Mutiara Damansara, Tesco Ara Damansara, Tesco Shah Alam, Tesco Extra Cheras and Tesco Extra Shah Alam.

"We aim to collect 10 tonnes of essential food items that will be given to both Kechara Soup Kitchen and Food Aid Foundation to be redistributed to more than 100 charity homes and soup kitchens.

"The partnership between Tesco Malaysia and our food bank partners has been very positive as we have been able to reach out to more deserving communities especially during the festive period," she told reporters after the launching of the event here, today.

She said the food items from the collection bins would be collected after 5pm every day.

"Back in October 2016, Tesco Malaysia launched its Food Surplus Donation programme where a total of 34 tonnes of surplus food from Tesco stores were donated to Kechara Soup Kitchen and Food Aid Foundation," she said.

-- BERNAMA

MQA Takes Over PSD's Tasks Of Assessing, Accrediting Tertiary Courses

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) has taken over the duties of the Public Service Department (PSD) in assessing and accrediting courses offered in tertiary institutions locally and abroad.

MQA chief executive officer (CEO) Prof Datuk Dr Rujhan Mustafa said the take over took effect early this year.

"Previously, assessing and accrediting an education programme either locally or abroad were the duties of the Standing Committee for Assessment and Qualification Recognition under the PSD.

"Now, the tasks had been taken over by the MQA to improve the effectiveness of extending quality assurance for tertiary institutions as well as to enhance communications with the general public," he told a press conference after attending the MQA CEO Aspiration & Media Appreciation event today.

At the event, the MQA also presented tokens of appreciation to media practitioners who helped convey information on the agency to the public.

Rujhan also advised Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) holders to check with the MQA the accreditations of courses offered to them by tertiary institutions before pursuing their studies.

He said most candidates were easily duped by false information that these programmes were offered with the collaboration of the MQA.

"They can refer to our website mqa.gov.my, or download the application myMQR on their smart phones or come to our agency to check if the course offered is registered with the MQA," he said.

As of December last year, the MQA had accredited 11,380 academic programmes in registered tertiary institutions across the country.

-- BERNAMA

A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF THE HOLLARD INSURANCE COMPANY PTY LTD

SINGAPORE, Jan 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a-" of The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd (HIC) (Australia). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect HIC's strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and good operating performance.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28319

9TH BUNKA FASHION GRADUATE UNIVERSITY FASHION WEEK SET FOR JAN. 30-FEB. 3

TOKYO, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Bunka Fashion Graduate University (BFGU), a professional graduate school in Japan, will hold the Bunka Fashion Graduate University Fashion Week (BFGU FW) from January 30 to February 3. The ninth annual event features a symposium by Keisuke Imazaki (PLASTICTOKYO designer), Chisung Ihn (IHNN designer), Mari Odaka (malamute designer), Junya Satou (saat designer) and Takayuki Chino (CINOH designer).

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A.M. BEST REVISES OUTLOOKS TO POSITIVE FOR NIPPON LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA AND AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF NIPPON LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

HONG KONG, Jan 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” of Nippon Life Insurance Company of America (NLB) (Des Moines, Iowa, USA). Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICR of “aa-” of its parent, Nippon Life Insurance Company (Nissay) (Japan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

 
The ratings reflect Nissay’s robust risk-adjusted capitalization, sound business profile and favorable operating results.

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TOSHIBA LAUNCHES 800V SUPER JUNCTION N-CHANNEL POWER MOSFETS FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY POWER SUPPLIES WITH IMPROVED LOW ON-RESISTANCE AND HIGH SPEED SWITCHING

TOKYO, Jan 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Corporation's (TOKYO:6502) Storage & Electronic Devices Solutions Company today announced the launch of 800V super junction N-channel power MOSFETs for high efficiency power supplies with improved low on-resistance and high speed switching. By utilizing the super junction structure, the eight new MOSFETs of the "DTMOS IV series" achieve approximately 79% reduction in on-resistance per area (RON x A) compared to Toshiba's previous "π-MOSVIII series." Its improved high speed switching can also contribute to the efficiency of the power supplies of the sets that it is used in. The MOSFETs are suited for use in industrial power supplies, standby power supply for servers, adaptors and chargers of notebook PCs and mobile devices, and in power supplies for LED lighting. Shipments start from today.

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JAPAN MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL "SPECIAL EXHIBITION" SET FOR FEB. 3-18 IN SINGAPORE UNDER THEME OF "LANDSCAPES: NEW VISION THROUGH MULTIPLE WINDOWS"

TOKYO, Jan 23 (Bernama-AsiaNet) -- Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs organizes participation in various overseas media art festivals through projects planned and managed by NHK International, Inc. The aim is to introduce outstanding works in such fields as media art, videos, websites, videogames, animation and comics.

The upcoming "Special Exhibition" will present 12 works from leading Japanese and world-class media artists under the theme of "Landscapes: New vision through multiple windows" at the Japan Creative Centre at the Japanese Embassy in Singapore. The exhibition's directors are Kensuke Sembo and Yae Akaiwa from the artist unit "exonemo," who have engaged in many experimental projects since 1996. Five Japanese feature animation films will also be screened at Shaw House Lido Theatre.

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INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE AND ALIBABA GROUP LAUNCH HISTORIC LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP AS ALIBABA BECOMES WORLDWIDE OLYMPIC PARTNER THROUGH 2028

Breakthrough partnership will support the IOC and the Olympic Movement achieve Olympic Agenda 2020 vision in a new digital era

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) today jointly announced a long-term partnership through 2028. Joining The Olympic Partner (TOP) worldwide sponsorship programme, Alibaba will become the official "Cloud Services" and "E-Commerce Platform Services" Partner, as well as a Founding Partner of the Olympic Channel.

The partnership was announced today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with IOC President Thomas Bach, Alibaba Group Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma and Alibaba Group Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang.

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Exim Bank Allocates RM1 Million For CSR Programmes

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (Exim Bank) has allocated RM1 million annually for its continued corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.

Chairman Datuk Mat Noor Nawi said the bank plans nationwide CSR programmes this year.

He added that the programmes would be based on applications and feedback from Exim Bank staff.

He told reporters this after a RM10,000 cheque handover to an orphanage, Madrasah Hashimiah Tahfiz Al-Quran & Anak Yatim here today.

Apart from the cheque, Exim Bank also contributed basic necessities.

The orphanage shelters 171, including Rohingya refugees.

-- BERNAMA

COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL COMPLETES US$700 MILLION REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

New unsecured structure increases financial capacity and flexibility to fund future growth

TORONTO, Jan 19 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colliers International Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CIGI) (TSX:CIGI) ("Colliers") announced today that it has expanded and extended its multi-currency revolving credit facility (the "Facility") to reinforce its already strong financial position and increase its flexibility for future growth. Borrowing capacity has been expanded to US$700 million, from US$525 million, and the maturity date extended to January 2022 from June 2020. The new unsecured Facility reflects Colliers' proven long-term growth strategy, increased scale, geographic and service line diversification, high level of insider ownership, and investment-grade balance sheet.

TD Securities acted as Lead Arranger for the financing. The Toronto-Dominion Bank acted as Administration Agent. HSBC Bank and Bank of Montreal acted as Syndication Agents while JP Morgan Chase Bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia and U.S. Bank acted as Documentation Agents. Additional bank participants include Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of America, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, and Wells Fargo Bank. Torys LLP acted as legal counsel to Colliers in connection with this financing.

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ABEONA THERAPEUTICS RECEIVES ORPHAN DRUG DESIGNATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR ABO-101 GENE THERAPY IN SANFILIPPO SYNDROME TYPE B

NEW YORK and CLEVELAND, Jan 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 

• ABO-101, Abeona’s third AAV gene therapy program to receive EMA Orphan Designation
• Clinical trials anticipated to begin enrolling in second quarter 2017
• Natural History Study in 25 patients has established efficacy outcome measures
• FDA previously granted Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations   

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ABEO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing gene therapies for life-threatening rare diseases, announced today that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products has granted Orphan Drug Designation (EMA/OD/226/16) for Abeona’s gene therapy program ABO-101 for children impacted by Sanfilippo syndrome type B (MPS IIIB), a rare autosomal recessive disease that causes neurocognitive decline, speech loss, loss of mobility, and premature death in children.

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A.M. BEST REVISES OUTLOOKS TO STABLE FOR NEW INDIA ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

SINGAPORE, Jan 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has revised the outlooks to stable from positive, and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of New India Assurance Company Limited (New India) (India).

 
While the company remains profitable overall, its pretax margin has weakened, as underwriting performance for the 12 months to March 2016 and the six months to September 2016 has deteriorated and fallen behind its projections.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28310

HARKNESS SCREENS TO POWER MBO CINEMAS NEW FLAGSHIP ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX IN MALAYSIA

BANGALORE, India, Jan 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global screen technology leader Harkness Screens has been selected by MBO Cinemas - a leading cinema chain in Malaysia currently with 207 screens and a seating capacity of over 32,721 seats - for its new flagship entertainment hub in Kuala Lumpur, thus providing its viewers with an ultimate and enthralling cinema experience. The new Kuala Lumpur screen will use the DP4K-30L flagship laser projector by Barco. This partnership between Harkness Screens and MBO Cinemas makes Harkness Screens the exclusive screen provider for all future projects by MBO Cinemas.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28307

​A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF SOUTH CHINA INSURANCE CO., LTD.

HONG KONG, Jan 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” of South China Insurance Co., Ltd. (South China Insurance) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
 
The ratings reflect South China Insurance’s sound risk-adjusted capitalization, track record of favorable operating performance and its diversified distribution capabilities, which include direct, agents and brokers, car dealers and financial institutions. The company also benefits from synergies with its publicly traded parent, Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd. (HNFH), in risk management and cross-selling opportunities.

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FINALCAD APPOINTS AEC INDUSTRY VETERAN EMMANUEL SAMUEL TO ACCELERATE GROWTH IN ASIA

SINGAPORE, Jan 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- FINALCAD, a global leader in mobile construction apps and predictive analytics for the field, today announced appointment of Emmanuel Samuel as Vice President Sales, Asia.

 
Emmanuel brings more than 25 years of experience in IT Business Development, Sales and Marketing, with particular strength in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) market. He will be responsible for expanding FINALCAD’s revenue in the Asian region, based out of the Singapore office.

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SHISEIDO ACQUIRES A U.S.-BASED START-UP, MATCHCO, THROUGH ITS REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, SHISEIDO AMERICAS

NEW YORK, Jan 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Shiseido Company, Limited ("Shiseido"), announced today that its regional headquarters and consolidated subsidiary, Shiseido Americas Corporation (Delaware, USA; "SAC"), has acquired MATCHCo (California, USA), a privately-held company utilizing revolutionary technology and innovative digital tools to provide consumers with individually customized foundation at scale.

The synergy of MATCHCo’s innovative digital tools and Shiseido Group’s R&D capabilities will help to enhance a business model that captures a major consumer trend: cosmetics customization.

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HOSHINO RESORTS OPENS ITS FIRST HOTEL ABROAD IN BALI, HOSHINOYA BALI IN JANUARY, 2017

TOKYO, Jan 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The leading Japanese hotel management company, Hoshino Resorts Inc. (Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO) is opening its first HOSHINOYA brand hotel abroad in Bali, the Republic of Indonesia on January 20th, 2017. “HOSHINOYA Bali” is enveloped by the lush green hills of Ubud, known as a center for Balinese traditional crafts and dance, surrounded by an environment of untouched rich nature. HOSHINOYA Bali overlooks the Pakerisan River, with sacred water canals running through the property, part of the island’s age-old water temple network recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Landscape.

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BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY EXPANDS TO MALAYSIA, NAMES GAITHRIE NANDRAJOG BRANCH MANAGER & KOO KANG WUU BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

BOSTON, Jan 17 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) today announced that it has received a license from Labuan FSA to provide non-life reinsurance to the Malaysian market. The company also established a new office in Kuala Lumpur and named Gaithrie Nandrajog as Branch Manager and Koo Kang Wuu as Executive & Professional Lines and Business Development Manager in Malaysia.

 

“After putting down roots in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau, we are pleased to further expand our operations in Asia and bring facultative reinsurance capacity and new products with the backing of our strong balance sheet to selected Malaysian insurance partners,” said Marc Breuil, President, Asia, BHSI. “With the opening of our Malaysian office, we continue to deepen our underwriting and claims capabilities in the region.” 

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MFPC Programme To Provide Grads Opportunities To Learn Financial Planning Process

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Financial Planning Council's (MFPC) Financial Planning Internship Programme will provide opportunities for graduates to learn the financial planning process, office administration and interaction with clients in the capital market.

In a statement Tuesday, MFPC said, it was for students graduating from various local institutions and universities.

Its Vice President of External Relations and Publicity, Phang Kar Yew, said the programme emphasised both practical and educational aspects of the financial system.

"It allows interns to experience what they have learned in universities while gaining personal knowledge of the financial process.

"This is a great opportunity for them to enhance their skills and knowledge in financial literacy," he said.

Interested applicants must be a registered member of MFPC and have good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA

PWC: CEO CONFIDENCE RISES DESPITE NEW RISKS AND UNCERTAINTY

-Confidence in company growth rises

-Fifty two per cent of CEOs plan to increase number of jobs

-Concerns about over regulation and lack of key skills at record levels

-CEOs feel globalisation has done little to solve income inequality

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 17 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While CEOs around the world feel they have plenty to worry about in the year ahead, their confidence in their own growth prospects and their outlook for the global economy are back on the rise.

Graphics accompanying this announcement are available at

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UBS SIGNS STRATEGIC MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH EPAM TO BOOST INNOVATION

NEWTOWN, Pa., Jan 18 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM), a leading global provider of product development and software engineering solutions, today announced that UBS AG, the world's largest wealth manager, has signed a multi-year strategic framework agreement. For the past nine years, UBS and EPAM have collaborated to stay at the forefront of technology, positioning UBS as a global leader in innovative financial products and services. The agreement, which is valued at over $300M, supports the bank’s strategic cost reduction program. This commitment to efficiency allows EPAM to continue to focus on innovative, end-to-end solutions, reducing time-to-market and improving ROI on technology investments.
 
“Over the past nine years, EPAM has become a key supplier in helping us meet our clients’ expectations by working closely together with UBS, while maintaining commitments to productivity and quality of delivery,” said Mike Dargan, Group Head of Information Technology, UBS. “We now look forward to evolving this valued relationship further over the coming years.”

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ALLIED WORLD GLOBAL MARKETS BUILDS OUT AUSTRALIA PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY TEAM

ZUG, Switzerland, Jan 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (NYSE:AWH) announced today that Kym Beazleigh has been appointed Vice President, Professional Liability, Australia, based in Sydney. He will report to Ed Moresco, Senior Vice President, Professional Liability.

Ed Moresco said: “This appointment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to strengthening our team in Australia and across the region. Kym’s knowledge and experience is a welcome addition to our well established Professional Liability offering in Asia-Pacific, enabling us to build on our existing success and continue to deliver high quality client service.”

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28294

A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF HONG LEONG INSURANCE (ASIA) LIMITED

HONG KONG, Jan 16 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Hong Leong Insurance (Asia) Limited (HLIA) (Hong Kong). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect HLIA’s very strong risk-adjusted capitalization, consistently profitable operating performance and low product risk profile. HLIA maintains very strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). This is reflective mainly of its low underwriting leverage, strong quality of capital and favorable liquidity position. In addition, with a conservative gross leverage ratio, the company is not considered to be highly dependent on reinsurance.  http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28277

PERFECTUS FILES CLAIM TO RECOVER LOSSES RELATED TO ALUMINUM SEIZURE

ONTARIO, Calif., Jan 17 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Perfectus Aluminum Inc. filed today a claim against the U.S. government seeking monetary damages. In its claim, Perfectus seeks reimbursement for millions of dollars in storage costs that it incurred as a result of the government’s wrongful conduct in detaining its export shipment of aluminum pallets at the Long Beach Port in California. In accordance with applicable government regulations, this claim is being made in the first instance in an administrative proceeding before the U.S. Customs Border Protection agency (the CBP), which is a prerequisite to suing for damages in federal court. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28287

UPDATE ON PERFECTUS' SHIPMENT FROM PORT OF LONG BEACH

ONTARIO, Calif., Jan 16 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Perfectus Aluminum Inc. would like to clarify recent reports regarding export of our product at the Port of Long Beach in California.

Perfectus has learned this morning through media reports of the seizure of formerly detained product by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Long Beach. We are surprised to learn about this development as CBP-after inspection-previously released a significant portion of previously detained shipments containing identical product.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28279

A.M. BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF QUEST INSURANCE GROUP LIMITED

SINGAPORE, Jan 16 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bb” of Quest Insurance Group Limited (Quest) (New Zealand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable.

The ratings reflect Quest’s favorable risk-adjusted capitalization, low product risk profile and positive operating results. A.M. Best expects Quest’s risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), to remain adequate in supporting its near-term business growth plans. Overall operating results have been consistently positive, stemming from contributions from Quest’s large investment portfolio, relative to its premium revenue.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28276

CUMMINS INC. DOES NOT USE DEFEAT DEVICES AND IS COMMITTED TO MEETING EMISSIONS STANDARDS

 Cummins Does Not Supply Engines for the FCA Products in Question

COLUMBUS, Ind., Jan 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today stated that it does not supply engines for the FCA vehicles that are discussed in the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Violation issued today, nor was Cummins named.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28269

PWC ANNOUNCES NEW GLOBAL CORPORATE TAX SERVICES TEAM

 Global Enterprise Tax Solutions Team Comprised of Former GE Tax Group

NEW YORK, Jan 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, PwC announced an innovative agreement with GE to provide integrated, enterprise managed tax services to GE on a global basis. As part of this agreement, PwC will hire more than 600 of GE's highly regarded tax team members from around the world and acquire GE's tax technologies to further both PwC's focus on the Tax Function of The Future and the provision of global enterprise tax solutions to the marketplace.

PwC has the largest tax practice in the US and the world with a global network of 41,000 tax professionals operating in 157 countries. Leveraging the proven experience and expertise of the GE team, PwC believes it has identified an opportunity that recognizes the future needs of a rapidly changing marketplace.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28267

SHOPPERS AT THE OCEANIA MALL TAKE ELEVATOR THROUGH WORLD'S TALLEST CYLINDRICAL AQUARIUM DESIGNED AND BUILT BY INTERNATIONAL CONCEPT MANAGEMENT

MOSCOW, Jan 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world’s tallest cylindrical aquarium housing an elevator ride and walk-through tunnel debuted at the new Oceania Mall in Moscow, Russia. The 24 meter tall acrylic aquarium designed and built by International Concept Management (ICM), is now the focal point for the state-of-the-art shopping center in Russia’s capital city. Photo: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82154eae-d021-4cfa-afb6-8ec9942fa03c  ICM designed the aquarium to offer an engaging experience and serve as the centerpiece for shoppers at the mall. To achieve this, ICM designed and built an aquarium that would be architecturally stunning, yet completely immerse guests in an underwater environment.   http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28258

SAMMY NETWORKS STARTS DISTRIBUTING "RAMEN SOUL," ENGLISH VERSION OF ITS POPULAR SMARTPHONE RAMEN SHOP MANAGEMENT GAME "RAMEN TAMASHII" WITH OVER 5 MILLION DOWNLOADS

TOKYO, Jan 13 (Bernama-AsiaNet) --

In response to the ramen boom overseas in recent years, Sammy Networks Co., Ltd. started distributing on Jan. 12, 2017, the English version of its popular smartphone ramen shop management game "Ramen Tamashii," which has hit five million downloads in Japan, simultaneously for iPhones (through the App Store) and Android devices (through the Google Play Store) under the title of "Ramen Soul."

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28273

TOSHIBA LAUNCHES SECOND GENERATION 650V SIC SCHOTTKY BARRIER DIODES WITH IMPROVED SURGE FORWARD CURRENT

TOKYO, Jan 12 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Corporation’s (TOKYO:6502) Storage & Electronic Devices Solutions Company today announced the launch of second generation 650V silicon carbide (SiC) schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) that improve on the surge forward current (IFSM) offered by the company’s current products by approximately 70%. Shipments of the new line-up of eight SiC schottky barrier diodes start today.

The new SiC schottky barrier diodes, fabricated with Toshiba’s second-generation SiC process, deliver approximately 70% better surge forward current than first generation products, and at the same time reduce the switching loss index of “RON * Qc” [1] by around 30%, making them suitable for use in efficient power factor correction (PFC) schemes.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28266

Need For Smart, Creative Strategy To Draw Youngsters To Islamic Teachings

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Religious institutions need to employ a smart and creative strategy in line with the needs of young people in bringing them closer to Islamic teachings.

Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) director-general, Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Baharuddin said with the world becoming increasingly challenging now, creativity in doing missionary work was important to ensure that Islamic teachings could be delivered effectively.

--BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1319366

RADWARE RESEARCH FINDS DATA LOSS IS TOP CYBER-ATTACK CONCERN

Radware's Global Application and Network Security Report 2016-2017 Finds Ransom Was The #1 Motivation Behind Cyber-Attacks, Malware Was the Most Frequent Type of Attack, and IoT Botnets are a Major Concern

MAHWAH, N.J., Jan 11 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radware® (NASDAQ:RDWR), a leading provider of cyber security and application delivery solutions ensuring the digital user experience for applications in virtual, cloud, and software-defined data centers, has found that hackers and companies agree on one thing: Data is lucrative. Radware's Global Application and Network Security Report 2016-2017 revealed that 49% of businesses confirmed being the subject of a cyber-ransom campaign in 2016. What's more, 27% of IT professionals surveyed chose data leakage or loss as a key concern when faced with a cyber-attack, while only 19% chose service outage, 16% selected reputation loss, and just 9% cited customer or partner loss.

The full report identifies 2016's major attack trends, outlines industry preparedness, and gives insider views from the front lines to the corner office. Among the biggest trends identified for the current report coverage period:

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28248

DAVOS 2017: JOIN PWC'S CEO SURVEY PRESS BRIEFING & WEBCAST 18:30 CET MONDAY 16TH JANUARY 2017

LONDON, Jan 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PwC’s Global Chairman Bob Moritz will present key findings of PwC’s annual survey of international business leaders at a press briefing in Davos, Switzerland, at 18:30 Central European Time on Monday 16^th January 2017 (17:30 GMT/12:30 EST).
 
The press briefing will also be webcast live allowing journalists who are not in Davos to take part.
 
The PwC Global CEO Survey has established itself as one of the media highlights of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. It includes nearly 1,400 interviews with CEOs from 79 countries, conducted during the last quarter of 2016.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28257

FUTUREWAN‘17 ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND AGENDA

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan 12 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE)-- The FutureWAN‘17 Summit today announced keynote presenters and the full agenda for its five day virtual summit that brings together some of the world’s leading experts and practitioners on migrating wide area networks to SD-WAN. The five day event will feature four tracks and multiple sessions per track beginning on January 16 through January 20th.


The FutureWAN’17 summit will feature presentations by a Fortune-500 healthcare provider and title insurance company on their experiences deploying SD-WAN. In addition to enterprises, the summit will feature Analyst Keynote presentations by Nemertes Research, EMA Research, and Packet Pushers; and a Network Architect Roundtable.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28256

PWC'S STRATEGY & INTRODUCES NEW BOOK "FIT FOR GROWTH: A GUIDE TO STRATEGIC COST CUTTING, RESTRUCTURING, AND RENEWAL"

NEW YORK, Jan 11 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Year holds one thing for certain: uncertainty. As business leaders find themselves plagued by sluggish growth, increasing geopolitical tension, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and the rapid pace of digital change, 2017 is gearing up to be “the year of the question mark.” How can businesses achieve and sustain growth despite today’s difficult business environment? They must tightly link their growth and cost agendas, freeing up resources to invest into what truly sets them apart.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed801a71-9b38-44be-9241-d7d0fa2609cc

Fit for Growth is a new book from Wiley by authors Vinay Couto and Deniz Caglar, leading practitioners in business transformation with Strategy&, PwC’s strategy consulting business. They are principals with PwC US. The third author, John Plansky, is a former principal with PwC US. Fit for Growth serves as the ultimate handbook on strategic cost management, illustrating the importance of investing resources in what makes an organization unique in the market and cutting costs constructively everywhere else. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28249

MURATA MACHINERY'S AUTONOMOUS FLOOR SCRUBBER "BUDDY" OFFICIALLY DEPLOYED AT SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

SINGAPORE and KYOTO, Japan, Jan 11 (Bernama-AsiaNet) -- MURATA MACHINERY SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. is pleased to announce on January 11 the official procurement and deployment of our autonomous floor scrubber and drier, "Buddy," at Singapore Changi Airport by Changi Airport Group (S) Pte. Ltd. With our independently developed "Intelligent Transfer Navigation System" ("It's Navi (R)"), Buddy enhances cleaning efficiency and reduces the manpower required for cleaning large spaces, especially during night-time cleaning operations.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28252

INVENIOS ACQUIRES VARIOPTIC, PREVIOUSLY A BUSINESS UNIT OF PARROT DRONE SAS

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan 11 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Invenios LLC, an advanced technology micro-fabrication foundry specializing in glass structuring, micro glass packaging and glass bonding and a world leader in providing consumables and devices for gene sequencing, bio-medical, sensor, electronic and optical applications announced today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Varioptic, previously a Business Unit of Parrot Drones SAS for an undisclosed amount.
 
Founded in 2002 in Lyon, France, Varioptic was acquired in May 2011 by Parrot.
 
Varioptic is the pioneer and a world leader in the liquid lens technology which enables variable focus, variable tilt, or variable cylindrical lenses with no moving parts, delivering unlimited number of cycles, unmatched shock and vibration resistance, low power, in a compact format allowing the use in compact cameras used in industrial devices. The main markets for the company today are barcode readers, medical devices, industrial cameras and defense.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28247

RedHill Biopharma Announces YELIVA® (ABC294640) Abstract Presentation at the 2017 Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Annual Conference

TEL-AVIV, Israel, Jan. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (NASDAQ:RDHL) (TASE:RDHL) (“RedHill” or the “Company”), a specialty biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development and commercialization of late clinical-stage, proprietary, orally-administered, small molecule drugs for gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases and cancer, today announced the presentation of an abstract relating to YELIVA^®, the Company’s proprietary, first-in-class, orally-administered sphingosine kinase-2 (SK2) selective inhibitor, at the 2017 Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Annual Conference, on February 2, 2017, in Salt Lake City, UT.

The abstract, entitled ‘Targeting Sphingosine Kinase-2 for the Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA)’¹, was authored by scientists from the Mayo Clinic, Apogee Biotechnology Corp. (Apogee), the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and RedHill. It will be presented by one of its authors, Dr. Lewis R. Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Mayo Clinic and the External Co-Chair of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Cholangiocarcinoma Project of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

SOURCE:  RedHill Biopharma Ltd.

LFB S.A. ANNOUNCED TODAY THE ACCEPTANCE BY U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION OF THE FILED BIOLOGIC LICENSE APPLICATION FOR COAGULATION FACTOR VIIA RECOMBINANT, (EPTACOG BETA ACTIVATED)

LES ULIS, France, Jan 9 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- LFB S.A., announced that its Biologic License Application (BLA), requesting marketing approval of Coagulation Factor VIIa (Recombinant) as a treatment for congenital hemophilia A or B in adolescent and adult congenital hemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors, has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The BLA contains data from Phase 3 pivotal studies in the global PERSEPT (Program for the Evaluation of Recombinant Factor Seven Efficacy by Prospective Clinical Trials) program, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Coagulation Factor VIIa (Recombinant).

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=28240